Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air off Nassau

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N35PK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Great Inagua
MSN:
LC-123
YOM:
1962
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2240
Captain / Total hours on type:
21.00
Circumstances:
While en route at 9,000 feet msl at night, the right engine reportedly lost power and was feathered. The pilot reported that the left engine had a partial loss of power and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Communication was maintained with Miami Center until the pilot reported ditching about 40 miles south of Nassau, Bahamas. At 0600, a US Navy vessel rescued the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft was not recovered from the ocean.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
2. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
3. (f) light condition - dark night
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 421A Golden Eagle I in George Town

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N4567L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
421A-0167
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll from George Town Airport, Exuma, one of the engine failed. Control was lost and the airplane veered off runway and came to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during takeoff due to an apparent cylinder failure.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-7 off Ship Channel Cay

Date & Time: Jun 2, 1981 at 1519 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N28377
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cape Eleuthera - Nassau
MSN:
141
YOM:
1970
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
7429
Captain / Total hours on type:
2420.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude from Cape Eleuthera to Nassau, both engines failed. The pilot reduced his altitude and eventually ditched the airplane off Ship Channel Cay, Exuma. The pilot was rescued while the airplane sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure in normal cruise due to inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Fuel quantity gauge, erratic,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport in water.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas DC-6A off Alice Town: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N844TA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Alice Town - Miami
MSN:
44421
YOM:
1954
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Alice Town, Bimini, the four engine airplane lost height and crashed into the sea. All four occupants were killed. It is believed that the crew was engaged in a drug smuggling flight.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but an engine failure was suspected.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
N515E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lantana - Great Inagua Island
MSN:
520-71
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Great Inagua Island. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage nor both occupants were recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando off Norman’s Cay

Date & Time: Nov 15, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N355BY
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Norman’s Cay - Norman’s Cay
MSN:
30243
YOM:
1944
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft had been flown to Norman's Cay Airport, Bahamas. The pilot was performing touch-and-goes at the airport when the aircraft touched down short. He execute a go-around, but clipped an earthen berm, tearing the left landing gear loose from its housing. The no.1 propeller blades contacted the runway. The aircraft banked left and gained little altitude. It cleared the runway and came down in shallow water. The wreck is still present off Norman's Cay.
The complete story on:
https://www.outislandlifebahamas.com/2017/03/the-plane-wreck-of-normans-cay/

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-6 Islander in Nassau: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N851JA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Nassau
MSN:
71
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On final approach, the twin engine airplane was too low when it struck trees and crashed in a wooded area short of runway threshold. Seven occupants were injured while a passenger was killed.

Crash of a Douglas DC-3A off Freeport: 34 killed

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1980 at 2058 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N75KW
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
West Palm Beach - Freeport
MSN:
4861
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
30
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
34
Captain / Total flying hours:
6600
Captain / Total hours on type:
1700.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
860
Copilot / Total hours on type:
150
Aircraft flight hours:
6700
Circumstances:
N75KW initiated takeoff from West Palm Beach at 19:40. The crew rejected the takeoff, reported that they had no airspeed indication and taxied back to the ramp. It appeared that both pitot tubes were covered or partially covered with a mud dauber's nest. The airspeed indicator then tested ok and the flight took off from runway 09L at 20:35. The crew were cleared to climb to 5,000 feet, to intercept Bahama Route 63V (BR 63V), and to proceed on course. At 20:49:23 Miami center cleared N75KW for the approach to Freeport and to cross the Halbi intersection at 4,000 feet. Around 20:57 Freeport approach control cleared the flight to descend to 1,400 feet for a VOR approach to land on runway 24 at Freeport, which was acknowledged. This was the last radio contact with the flight. The DC-3 descended into the sea in low ceilings, low visibility with moderate turbulence and thunderstorm activity.
Probable cause:
Unable to determine the probable cause of this accident from the available evidence. Although the Board has been unable to determine the probable cause with any degree of precision, the following factors may have contributed:
1) Flight into known thunderstorm activities and turbulence;
2) Pre-existing discrepancies in the pitot/static system of the aircraft and their effect on the reliability of the flight instruments;
3) Lack of operational control exercised by the airline's management.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Turbo Commander 680W II off South Bimini

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1980
Registration:
N93RA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
MSN:
680-1722-2
YOM:
1968
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off South Bimini Airport. Occupant fate unknown.