Jan. 15, Monterey, Calif. / Cessna Skyhawk

A Cessna 172N was determined to be lost over the Pacific Ocean when it disappeared from radar at 17:02 Pacific time. The pilot, thought to be the only one aboard, is presumed dead. The aircraft departed Concord at about 15:20 and flew southwesterly, climbing to 10,500 feet. For the next hour and 20 minutes, the mode C reported altitude varied between 8,500 feet and 11, 800 feet. At about 16:50, the altitude began to gradually decrease at the rate of 600 to 900 feet per minute until the radar return was lost over the Pacific ocean 46 miles on a magnetic bearing of 224 degrees from Monterey, Calif.