George Town | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On February 3, 1998 at about 1200 eastern standard time, a Douglas DC3C, N200MF, registered to Missionary Flights International, as a 14 CFR Part 91 passenger flight experienced a total loss of engine power on both engines and made a forced landing 1 mile from the Greater Exuma Airport, Moss Town, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot-in-command (PIC), commercial pilot first officer, and 24 passengers reported no injuries. The flight originated from Moss Town about 1 hour 52 minutes before the accident.

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off George Town

Date & Time: May 17, 1981 at 1753 LT

Type of aircraft:

Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain

Operator:

Phillip H. Taylor

Registration:

N35803

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Lakeland – George Town

MSN:

31-8052086

YOM:

1980

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Captain / Total flying hours:

11500

Captain / Total hours on type:

2220.00

Circumstances:

On approach to George Town Airport, following an uneventful flight from Lakeland, FL, both engines failed. The crew made a forced landing off airport on water approximately 7 miles from the destination. Both occupants were rescued while the airplane was lost.

Probable cause:

Engine failure caused by inadequate preflight preparation. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Complete engine failure both engines.

Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar off Kingston: 13 killed

Date & Time: Apr 10, 1953

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 18 LodeStar

Operator:

Registration:

VP-JBC

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Kingston – George Town

MSN:

2568

YOM:

1943

Location:

Kingston

Kingston City District

Country:

Jamaica

Region:

Central America

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from Kingston-Palisadoes Airport, while climbing to a height of 100-200 feet, the twin engine aircraft banked left, lost height and crashed into the sea. A passenger was rescued while 13 other occupants, were killed. The pilot, Owen Roberts, was the owner of the company. Later, the international Airport of George Town in the Cayman Islands was renamed on his honor.

Probable cause:

The failure of the port engine which in turn was due to the cracking of the Accessory Drive Gear. Thereafter the disaster must be attributed to the failure of the pilot to take precautionary steps on hearing the back firing, which, so far as he knew, might or might not have been a warning of possible engine failure.

Crash of a Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina off George Town

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1952

Type of aircraft:

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Operator:

Registration:

VP-JAW

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

George Town – Tampa

MSN:

187

YOM:

1941

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Shortly after takeoff from George Town Airfield, while climbing, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few dozen yards off shore. All occupants were rescued while the aircraft, partially submerged, was considered as damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Martin PBM-3S Mariner Flying Boat off George Town: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jul 1, 1944 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Martin PBM Mariner

Operator:

Registration:

01697

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

3255

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was involved in a convoy flight to the US. While taking off from the George Town harbor, the captain spotted another aircraft on his path and decided to make a turn to avoid any collision. Doing this, the seaplane hit a buoy and sunk quickly. All six crew members were killed.