February 28, Captiva Island, Fla. / Beech Bonanza

At about 1530 eastern time, a Beech 36 crashed into the waters of Pine Island Sound shortly after takeoff from North Captiva Airport. The pilot was killed. Initial radar data showed the flight departed to the east and then took up a heading to the southeast, maintained a southeast heading until the flight turned easterly. There were no radio communications from the airplane. The pilot had intended to pick up some passengers at Page Field but never arrived. The wreckage was found about 2 miles from the departure airport in five feet of water. Fishermen reported that at about the time the accident occurred fog had rolled in over Pine Island Sound, reducing visibility to zero for about 15 minutes.