Crash of a Convair CV-440-86 Metropolitan in Freeport

Date & Time: Nov 24, 1979 at 0208 LT
Type of aircraft:
Convair CV-440 Metropolitan
Operator:
Registration:
N444JM
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Freeport - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
419
YOM:
1957
Location:
Freeport
West Grand Bahama
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Freeport-Grand Bahama Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after a fire erupted in the right main wheel well. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a circuit when the right engine in fire detached and fell away. After touchdown on runway 24, the airplane veered to the right and came to rest in a lagoon. A passenger was seriously injured while 45 other occupants escaped with minor or no injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Fire in the right wheel well for unknown reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Cessna 411 off The Bahamas

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 411
Operator:
Interair Services
Registration:
N4926T
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
411-0126
YOM:
1965
Location:
Bahamas
All Bahamas
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
776
Circumstances:
En route from Palm Beach to the Turks & Caicos Islands, the pilot encountered technical problems and was forced to ditch the aircraft off The Bahamas. The pilot, sole on board, was rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exacts cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Curtiss C-46A-45-CU Commando off San Andros

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
N10624
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
30271
YOM:
1944
Location:
San Andros
North Andros
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While in cruising flight, the crew encountered engine problems and decided to reduce his altitude and to ditch the aircraft off San Andros. Both crew members were rescued while the aircraft was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 500 off Treasure Cay

Date & Time: May 17, 1979 at 1715 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 500
Operator:
Palm Beach Aviation
Registration:
N3836C
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Treasure Cay - Andros Town
MSN:
500-756
YOM:
1959
Location:
Treasure Cay
Central Abaco
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
3770
Captain / Total hours on type:
1077.00
Circumstances:
During initial climb at Treasure Cay Airport, one of the engine failed. Unable to maintain a positive rate of climb, the airplane struck trees and lost height. The pilot decided to ditch the airplane into the sea, less than two km northeast of the airfield. The pilot was slightly injured and the airplane was lost.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb and subsequent ditching for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Failed to follow approved procedures,
- Improper emergency procedures,
- Complete engine failure,
- Hit trees near runway after engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Mitsubishi MU-2B-20 Marquise in Marsh Harbour: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Mitsubishi MU-2 Marquise
Operator:
Business Aircraft Leasing
Registration:
N304L
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
137
YOM:
1968
Location:
Marsh Harbour
Central Abaco
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Marsh Harbour. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Crash of a Beechcraft E18 off The Bahamas: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 2, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft E18
Operator:
Bush Aviation
Registration:
N4442
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Cat Island
MSN:
BA-8
YOM:
1954
Location:
Bahamas
All Bahamas
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2000
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While in cruising altitude on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Cat Island, the twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off The Bahamas Islands. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the pilot was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences as the wreckage was not found, it was not possible to determine a probable cause of the accident.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S off Nassau

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1978 at 2230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Beechcraft G18S
Operator:
William Catalina
Registration:
N948Q
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Great Inagua - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
BA-597
YOM:
1961
Location:
Nassau
New Providence
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Barranquilla to Fort Lauderdale with an intermediate stop on Great Inagua Island. While cruising off the Bahamas coast by night, the pilot declared an emergency after an engine failure and attempted to divert to the nearest airport. Eventually, he was forced to ditch the airplane few miles offshore. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Ditched in international waters, not recovered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 560E in Bimini: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1978 at 2340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Aero Commander 560
Operator:
Christian Demaria
Registration:
N6227B
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Private
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Miami - Bimini
MSN:
560-641
YOM:
1958
Location:
Bimini
Bimini
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Captain / Total flying hours:
220
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
On approach to Bimini Airport by night, the pilot became disoriented and lost control of the airplane that crashed few km from the airfield. All six occupants were killed. The aircraft was under suspicion of narcotics contraband.
Probable cause:
Collision with ground after the pilot attempted operation beyond experience and ability level. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Misjudged altitude,
- Physical impairment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1978 at 1106 LT
Type of aircraft:
Rockwell Grand Commander 680
Operator:
Registration:
N669SA
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
680-1667-131
YOM:
1967
Location:
Great Inagua Island
Inagua
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Great Inagua Island, the pilot declared an emergency and reported an engine fire. He elected to divert to the nearest airport but eventually ditched the aircraft into the sea. SAR operations did no find any trace of the aircraft nor both occupants.
Probable cause:
Ditching following fire in engine in flight for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fairchild-Hiller FH-227 in Chub Cay

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1978
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild-Hiller FH-227
Operator:
Registration:
C6-BDQ
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
518
YOM:
1966
Location:
Chub Cay
Berry Islands
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew raised the landing gear when the captain heard a loud bang and decided to land back. The airplane belly landed and slid for 605 meters, overran and came to rest in a mangrove. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.
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