Fatal Accident (1) – Cessna 208A Cargomaster, N40EA, near Codys Corner, FL, February 14, 2025
| Aviation Safety X Report |
|
On February 14, 2025, at approximately 18:40 local time, a Cessna 208A Cargomaster with registration N40EA, operated by Eagle Air Transport Inc., departed Sebastian-Roseland Municipal Airport (X26) en route to Palatka Municipal/Lt. Kay Larkin Field Airport (28J). The aircraft, which had been in service since 1985 and previously used for skydiving operations, was being repositioned as part of a ferry flight. The pilot, whose name has not yet been officially released, was the sole occupant on board. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic controllers around 7:30 p.m., prompting an immediate search effort. The wreckage was eventually located in a densely wooded area near Cody’s Corner, Florida, in Flagler County, just past the Volusia County line. Search and rescue operations were severely hampered by low visibility conditions, including thick cloud cover and complete darkness at the time of the crash. Flagler County Sheriff’s Office initiated the search at approximately 8:00 p.m., with additional assistance from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. The wreckage was ultimately found shortly after midnight when ground search teams detected the smell of jet fuel, allowing aerial units to pinpoint the crash site. By 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, officials had secured the scene. Sheriff Rick Staly confirmed that due to the extensive destruction of the aircraft, survival was highly unlikely. Initial data from air traffic controllers and radar records indicated that the aircraft had been cruising at 900 feet before rapidly descending. At this time, the cause of the crash remains undetermined, and investigators have not ruled out mechanical failure, medical incapacitation, or environmental factors as potential contributing causes. According to the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has assumed control of the investigation and will provide updates as they become available. There were no reports of distress calls from the pilot before the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control. Eagle Air Transport’s president, Rook Nelson, released a statement acknowledging the incident, stating that the company became aware of the missing aircraft around 8 p.m. on Friday. He confirmed that the pilot was highly experienced, and the company was working closely with local and federal authorities to determine what occurred. The sheriff’s office also noted that they were in the process of notifying next of kin and had not publicly released the pilot’s identity as of their last update. The Cessna 208A Caravan is a single-engine turboprop aircraft widely used for cargo transport and skydiving operations. The specific aircraft involved in this incident had previously been operating for Skydive Sebastian before being reassigned to Eagle Air Transport for ferry flights. While generally regarded as a reliable airframe, its high-wing design and single-engine configuration can make it vulnerable to certain mechanical failures, particularly in challenging weather conditions. However, no severe weather was reported at the time of the accident. Authorities continue to seek information from the public regarding any sightings of the aircraft prior to impact. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the FAA and NTSB, has urged anyone with relevant information to contact them at 386-313-4911. The full accident investigation is expected to take several months, as forensic analysis of the aircraft debris, flight path data, and pilot’s medical records will be crucial in determining the definitive cause of the crash. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses. |
|
Video
|
Accident Location: near Codys Corner, FL 29.2733644, -81.29948 |
FAA Registration 🇺🇸
N40EA
|
Year of Manufacture
1985
|
|
Serial Number
20800065
|
ADS-B Exchange | flightradar24 | FlightAware |
| NTSB Database |
Social Media
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
X
|
Local News
News Journal
Sebastian Daily
Click Orlando
|
National News
|
| ASN |
Aircraft Operator
Eagle Air Transport
|
Image References
JetPhotos
Facebook
FlightAware
Click Orlando
|
Additional |
ASX X | ASX LinkedIn | ASX Facebook | ASX Instagram | ASX YouTube