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Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain off South Bimini: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2021 at 2142 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N827RD
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
South Bimini – Miami-Opa Locka
MSN:
31-7652094
YOM:
1976
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
2085
Aircraft flight hours:
7102
Circumstances:
The airplane crashed moments after takeoff from the South Bimini Int’l Airport (MYBS), Bimini, Bahamas. The private flight departed MYBS with intended final destination of Opa Locka Airport (KOPF), Opa Locka, Florida, USA. The pilot sustained serious injuries and after being seen by medical personnel in South Bimini, was flown to Nassau, Bahamas for further medical attention. The passenger who occupied the right seat of the aircraft, succumbed to injuries he sustained as a result of the initial impact and subsequent crash sequence and subsequent submersion in the waters at the end of the runway environment. The pilot was a US certified commercial pilot with ratings for airplane land, single and multi-engine as well as an instrument airplane rating. The pilot’s medical certificate was valid at the time of the accident. The passenger (pilot’s son) also held a valid US certified private pilot – single engine land – airplane certificate. It is unknown what role (if any) the passenger (son) played during the takeoff to crash sequence. The weather conditions at the time of the accident was night (instrument meteorological conditions). A weak high pressure ridging was forecasted to continue to dominate the weather over the Bahamas throughout the night. However, no significant weather was anticipated.
Probable cause:
The AAIA has determined the probable cause of this accident to be loss of control inflight (LOC-I), resulting in uncontrolled flight into terrain (ocean). The cause of this loss of control could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in South Bimini

Date & Time: Sep 19, 2010 at 1440 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N84859
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
South Bimini - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
31-7305043
YOM:
1973
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On September 19, 2010, at 1440 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA31-350, N84859, registered to Spirit Air Inc, and operated by Pioneer Air Service was on initial climb out when the lower half of the main cabin door came open. The pilot reversed his course and returned to the departure airport, landing on runway 27. The right main landing gear tire blew out on the landing roll. The airplane went off the right side of the runway, struck a tree, caught fire and came to a complete stop. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight plan was filed. The commercial pilot and five passengers were not injured and the airplane received substantial damage. The flight originated from Bimini Airport, South Bimini Island, Bahamas, at 1435, and was operated in accordance with 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135.

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander in Moss Town

Date & Time: May 16, 2005 at 1230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
C6-ASA
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Freeport – South Bimini – Moss Town
MSN:
599
YOM:
1970
Location:
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Aircraft flight hours:
16711
Circumstances:
On May 16, 2005 about 1230EST (1845Z), a Britten Norman Islander aircraft, registration C6-ASA crashed approximately 3nm northeast of the Moss Town International Airport. The Pilot reported, “about 35 minutes south of Nassau International Airport [MYNN] I noticed that my ground speed was very low. I continued with my flight to MYEF because I should have had 1 hour and 30 minutes of fuel. About 10 miles from MYEF my right engine quit then 2 minutes later my left engine quit. I then look a suitable place to land three miles from the airport.” The one (1) pilot and two (2) passengers received no serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed from impact sustained as it contacted the trees. The accident flight originated from Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas to Moss Town, Exuma, Bahamas with an intermediate stop in South Bimini, Bahamas. Visual Flight Rules Conditions existed at the time of the accident. The aircraft was operated by Flamingo Air Limited, a Bahamian Air Operator Certificate holder. Flamingo Air Limited operated as a Commuter, Unscheduled / On Demand Operator in commercial air transport. Flamingo Air Limited operated under the provision of the Bahamas Aviation Safety Regulations (BASR 2001). Its aircraft are maintained under the provision of Bahamas Aviation Safety Regulations (BASR 2001). The aircraft had flown a total of 2 flights including the accident flight. The pilot flew both flights [the same pilot later flew the accident flight]. The pilot reported no problems with the aircraft prior to the accident. There were no open MEL items. There were no open (uncorrected) mechanical irregularities written in the Technical and Journey Log. On May 15, 2005 the pilot uplifted a total of 130 gallons of fuel, which is the maximum capacity for this aircraft. Prior to the accident flight, the aircraft completed two flights, MYAM to MYGF [flown on May 15, 2005] which lasted 45 minutes and MYGF to MYBS [flown on May 16, 2005] which lasted 30 minutes. No fuel was uplifted prior to the next flight which was MYBS to MYEF, the accident flight [flown on May 16, 2005]. During post accident interviews, the pilot confirmed that he had not noticed anything unusual about the airplane. The pilot later surmised that he had simply run out of fuel.
Probable cause:
The Flight Standards Inspectorate determined that the probable cause of this accident as Fuel Exhaustion. The Pilot could not calculate the fuel for the intended journey. The Pilot used poor judgment when he elected to continue on to Moss Town International Airport rather than returning back to Nassau International Airport when he first experienced the problem.
Final Report:

Crash of a Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain in South Bimini

Date & Time: Jan 2, 1993 at 0945 LT
Registration:
N4107V
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - South Bimini
MSN:
31-8253010
YOM:
1982
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances upon landing at South Bimini Airport. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured.

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.

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off New Orleans: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1979 at 1630 LT
Registration:
N4178B
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
South Bimini – Tampico
MSN:
520-85
YOM:
1953
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
664
Captain / Total hours on type:
12.00
Circumstances:
En route from South Bimini to Tampico, Mexico, the airplane suffered a double engine failure. The pilot ditched the aircraft off New Orleans. Seriously injured, he was rescued but apparently died a week later.
Probable cause:
As the airplane was not recovered, it was not possible to establish the cause of the accident. Illegal flight suspected.
Final Report: