Country
Bahamas
code

Acklins

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

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1965
Type of aircraft:
Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar
Operator:
Registration:
51-2680
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Milwaukee – Homestead – Cockburn Town
MSN:
10669
YOM:
1951
Location:
Acklins Island
Acklins
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
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 Martin B-26C-5-MO Marauder on Acklins Island

Date & Time: Apr 7, 1943 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Martin B-26 Marauder
Operator:
Registration:
41-34720
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Morrison AFB - Borinquen
Location:
Acklins Island
Acklins
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
465
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
The crew departed Morrison AFB (Pam Beach) at 0830LT on a ferry flight to Borinquen, Porto Rico. En route, the crew attempted to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tanks but the process failed because the fuel transfer mechanism would not function properly. As there was insufficient fuel in the main tank, the crew decided to bail out and abandoned the aircraft that entered a dive and crashed on Acklins Island, bursting into flames. All four crew members were uninjured.
Crew:
Jesse F. Hunt,
Arnold Stern,
Billy R. Williams,
Ralph E. Stevens.

Thanks to Eric Wiberg and Michael Stowe for information provided.
Probable cause:
The cause of this accident was the failure of the fuel transfer mechanism to function properly for reasons unknown to the committee.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas B-18A Bolo of Acklins Island

Date & Time: Sep 4, 1942 at 1904 LT
Type of aircraft:
Douglas B-18 Bolo
Operator:
Registration:
37-539
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
MSN:
2539
YOM:
1937
Location:
Acklins Island
Acklins
Country:
Bahamas
Region:
Central America
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane departed Mitchel AFB, Long Island, on a flight to the Caribbean. En route, one of the engine failed. Captain Ginter attempted to ditch the airplane off Acklins Island. All seven occupants found refuge in a dinghy and reached the shore. The aircraft sank and was lost.
Crew:
1st Lt Richard F. Ginther,
2nd Lt Arthur J. Hammer,
2nd Lt John W. Smith,
Cpl Charles V. Perkins,
Cpl George W. Oakes,
S/Sgt John F. Boener,
Pvt John S. Soar.
Probable cause:
Power plant failure for undetermined reason.
Final Report:
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