CESSNA 172S — Davenport, CA

What happened

The commercial pilot departed the airport in the middle of the night for an unknown destination. Later that day, a representative of the operator reported that the pilot and airplane were missing. The representative reported that the missing pilot was a contract flight instructor for the operator; however, the accident flight was not authorized, and local law enforcement officials later classified the airplane as stolen. Recorded radar data attributed to the airplane showed a radar track west to the Pacific Ocean, then south along the California coastline. The last transponder return was recorded over the water about 5 miles west of the shoreline at an altitude of 800 ft above sea level. Primary targets consistent with the airplane's flight were recorded heading southwest over the ocean until no longer visible on radar. A sea search for the missing airplane and ramp checks at several airports along the apparent route of flight were conducted; however, no wreckage was found. The airplane and pilot remain missing.

An editorial "what led to it / how to avoid it" analysis for this accident is generated separately and will appear here.