N5485S Additionally, the number of persons on board
N2506 was revised to four, with four life jackets. while three orange smoke
generators were added to the equipment carried by N5485S. The routing given in
the revised flight plans was not changed. These three revised flight plans were
transmitted to Miami ARTCC and Havana ACC.
1.1.6
According to the
authorities in the United States, their radar recorded Cuban military aircraft
activity north of Havana between 12:15 and 12:45 hours. According to the
authorities in Cuba, there was no such activity at that time.
1.1.7
At 13:01 hours the three Cessna
337 aircraft (N2506, N2456S and N5485S) taxied from the Brothers to the Rescue
hangar for rake-off. At 13:07 hours Opa Locka TWR reported to Miami ARTCC, in
response to an earlier request for information on Brothers to the Rescue
activity, that these three Brothers to the Rescue aircraft had taxied our for
departure. The three aircraft departed runway 09L westbound at 13:11, 13:12 and
13:13 hours. At 13:14 hours Opa Locka TWR was asked by Miami ARTCC if any of
the Brothers to the Rescue aircraft were airborne. Opa Locka TWR responded that
the three Brothers to the Rescue aircraft had departed and were at that time
westbound, just north of Opa Locka. Opa Locka TWR was requested to inform Miami
ARTCC if any more Brothers to the Rescue aircraft were to depart.
1.1.8
Miami AIFSS (call sign
Miami Radio) was contacted by each of the three Cessna aircraft after take-off,
to activate their VFR flight plans. Activation of the flight plan was completed
by 13:24 hours. Miami AIFSS transmitted departure messages for N5485S
and N2506 to Miami ARTCC and Havana ACC. No departure message for N2456S was
sent due to an operator error.
1.1.9
The three Cessna aircraft
had arranged to be in contact with each other on VHF frequency 122.75 MHz.
Routine arrangements had been made for the Brothers to the Rescue Opa Locka
base to monitor the flight using VHF radio with a repeater or HF radio. The
internal call signs of the three aircraft were: Seagull One (N2506), Seagull
Charlie (N2456S) and Seagull Mike (N5485S).
1.1.10
The three Cessna aircraft
did not follow the route given in the VFR flight plans. As recorded by United
States air defence radar, the three aircraft proceeded initially west, then
southwest reaching 25 16.4N 081 13.8W at 13:49 hours, then south to 24 10.3N
08113.4W, and turning at 14:23 hours to the west along the 24 10N parallel. The
aircraft were reported to have maintained visual contact with each other. At
14:50 hours the three Cessna aircraft passed at position 24 09N 082 17W an
opposite direction United States Navy P-3 Orion, which was at an
altitude of approximately 900 ft.
1.1.11
At 14; 39 hours Cuban air
defence radar detected aircraft noI1h of the 24N parallel. The aircraft
exhibited transponder codes normally allocated to VFR flights. Two military
interceptor aircraft at San Antonio de 105 Baños air
base were brought to immediate readiness at 14:43 hours. The interceptors were
armed with air-to-air, heat seeking missiles and cannon. These aircraft, a two
seat MiG-29 OB and a MiG-23 ML took off at 14:55 hours to patrol 15 to 20 km
north of the coast at altitudes between 200 and 500 m.
1.1.12
At 14:55 hours the three
Cessna aircraft were recorded by United States defence radar at position 24 ION
082 30W, when they turned south following approximately 082 30W.
1.1.13
Cuban
air defence radar reported aircraft 12 NM south of the 24N parallel at 15:00
hours. The radar record showed one aircraft (N2456S) in position 23 48N 082 02W
and two other aircraft crossing the 24N parallel at 082 20W (N5485S) and 082
"'.4W (N2506), at approximately 15:00 hours.