THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be pilot error, in the pilots failure to focus attention inside on the instrument panel display. In looking only outside for visual reference, the aircraft both appeared and felt as if it was maintaining altitude while truly it was in a constant angle descent into the dark black everglades after takeoff. In this case, night VFR was IFR.
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 3/12/2026 – 26 months after the accident: The pilots’ spatial disorientation in dark night visual meteorological conditions, which resulted in their failure to maintain altitude and a subsequent descent and impact with a swamp.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft become aware of this specific scenario, and these phenomena, and condition themselves to revert to basic attitude instrument flight in these scenarios of ever decreasing outside reference. Trust the gauges. Fly the gauges. The DTSB recommends rehearsal and conditioning for all pilots, concerning the use of the ADI as primary for pitch immediately after takeoff.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →