Crash of a Chase C-122C Avitruc off Bimini: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jan 11, 1967 at 0937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N122E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Bimini
MSN:
CY-879
YOM:
1954
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
4042
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Bimini, carrying various equipment for a movie. While approaching Bimini Island, the aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later asa no trace of the aircraft nor the four crew members was found. Some debris were eventually spotted few days later floating on water northwest of Bimini Island.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, the cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Hawker-Siddeley HS.125-1A/522 off Freeport: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 22, 1966 at 2014 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N235KC
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami – Freeport
MSN:
25096
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
6300
Captain / Total hours on type:
152.00
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Miami on a private flight to Freeport with his spouse on board. He did not file any flight plan and failed to ask for a copilot. During a night approach to Freeport Airport, in dark night, the twin engine airplane struck the water surface and crashed into the sea about 7,2 km short of runway, off Pinder Point. The pilot was seriously injured while the passenger's body was not recovered.
Probable cause:
The pilot misjudged altitude and failed to follow the approved procedures. The controlled descent into water was probably the consequence of a instruments misread or failed to read on part of the pilot.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell off The Bahamas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
N92877
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami – Bimini – Matthew Town – Oranjestad
MSN:
82-5228
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Miami to Oranjestad (Aruba) with intermediate stops in Bimini and Matthew Town (Great Inagua Island), carrying two pilots and a load of frozen chickens, eggs and plane parts. Few minutes after takeoff from Bimini Airport, while in cruising altitude, the crew informed ATC about his position vertical to Andros Island when contact was lost shortly later. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680 off Bimini

Date & Time: Jul 25, 1965 at 1045 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N84T
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6500
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
While approaching an airport in the region of Bimini, one of the engine failed. As the airplane became unstable, the pilot decided to reduce his altitude and ditched the aircraft off shore. The airplane sank rapidly and was lost while the pilot was rescued. The aircraft was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Failure of one engine in flight for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild C-119F-FA Flying Boxcar off Acklins Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1965
Operator:
Registration:
51-2680
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Milwaukee – Homestead – Cockburn Town
MSN:
10669
YOM:
1951
Country:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Homestead AFB at 1947LT bound for Cockburn Town, Turks & Caicos Islands with a crew of five and five mechanics on board who were to fix the engine of a C-119. In the evening, while cruising over the Bahamas by night, the airplane disappeared from radar screens and the crew was unable to send any distress call. The last radio communication was recorded while the aircraft was over the region of Crooked Island. Extensive SAR operations were conducted for several days but eventually suspended as no trace of the aircraft nor the 10 occupants was found. On July 18, 1965 debris were found on a beach located on Acklins Island, Bahamas.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidence, it was not possible to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL off Andros Town

Date & Time: Apr 6, 1965 at 1934 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N150A
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
6178
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route from Haiti to Florida and while cruising along the Andros Island, the crew encountered engine problems and was forced to ditch the aircraft off Andros Town. The airplane came to rest in shallow waters and all seven occupants were evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
Forced landing off airport on water following engine failure/flameout on both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan in Freeport: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1965 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N52933
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Freeport - Freeport
MSN:
968
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a local training flight at Freeport Airport. On final approach, he decided to make a go around when one of the engine failed. The airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed in flames short of runway threshold. The pilot was killed. The airplane was owned by Harold L. Knowles.
Probable cause:
Engine failure on final approach for undetermined reason.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-50 LodeStar in Freeport: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1964 at 1545 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N171Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2381
YOM:
1943
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
7870
Captain / Total hours on type:
50.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Freeport Airport, while in initial climb, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All four occupants were killed. The airplane was owned by George C. McAlpine.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft C18S off Bimini

Date & Time: May 19, 1964 at 1153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N8015H
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
8137
YOM:
1945
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
1500
Captain / Total hours on type:
100.00
Circumstances:
En route between the Bahamas and Florida, one of the engine failure. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and eventually ditched the aircraft off Bimini. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost. It was owned by Barbara Hall.
Probable cause:
In-flight failure of one engine for undetermined reason. The aircraft was ditched.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47B-30-DK in Nassau

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1960
Operator:
Registration:
VP-BBN
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
16411/33159
YOM:
1945
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Nassau-Oakes Field Airport, while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The crew informed ATC about his situation and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to extinguish the fire and started the approach with the right engine still on fire. On final, smoke spread in the cockpit and just after touchdown on runway 27, the right engine detached and struck the right main gear that was sheared off. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and eventually came to rest in flames 300 meters farther. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
Fire on the right engine after takeoff for undetermined reason.