North Andros

On September 9, 1999, about 1915 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31-310, N6579L, registered to Webs Planes, Inc., operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, crashed about 50 yards east of San Andros Airport, Andros Island, Bahamas, following an inflight explosion and cockpit fire. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by ground fire and the commercially-rated pilot and six passengers were not injured. The flight originated from Nassau, New Providence, about 1910. According to the pilot, at about 15 miles from his destination, San Andros, he heard a loud explosion from under the floor, and then experienced fire in the cockpit. Attempts at extinguishing the fire were negative and he began to lose engine power. He tried to make the runway at San Andros, but impacted mangrove growth east of the airport, instead. He stated he thought the problem may have been a short circuit in electrical wiring under the airplane's floorboards.

On June 20, 1990, at 04:51 Atlantic standard time (AST), a Piper PA-31, YV2200P, registered to and operated by Juan A. Zeley, crashed near New Town, Andros Island, Bahamas, while on a business flight from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Caracas, Venezuela. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The Venezuelan registered airplane was destroyed. The pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, who held a Venezuelan commercial pilot certificate was fatally injured. The flight originated at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort, Lauderdale, Florida, on June 20, 1990 at 04:05 AST.

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.

On final approach to Walker Cay Airport, the twin engine airplane struck tree tops and crashed. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

The pilot departed Nassau on a local test flight. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 5,000 feet, he simulated the failure of both engines with fuel boost on. He descended to 2,500 feet and as he was unable to restart both engines, he decided to ditch the aircraft into the sea. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.

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.