Bahamas

During cruise flight, the pilot reported that the right engine cowling partially separated and the left forward cylinder of that engine separated, followed by an engine compartment fire. He attempted to feather the propeller but was unable. He initiated a descent to extinguish the fire and was successful but after leveling off, was unable to maintain directional control. He ditched the airplane and both he and the passenger exited the aircraft. The pilot dragged the seriously injured passenger with him to a nearby island where they were rescued the following day. The aircraft was not recovered; therefore, no determination could be made as to the reason for the separation of the cylinder. Review of the aircraft logbook indicates that on 8/27/91, the n°5 cylinder of the right engine was removed and replaced. Also, the n°1 cylinder was removed and reinstalled following repair. There were no further entries in the aircraft logbook regarding cylinder removal or replacement to the right engine.

The twin engine aircraft was completing a charter flight from Sarasota to Cap Haïtien with an intermediate stop at George Town, Bahamas. Thirty minutes after takeoff from George Town Airport, while cruising at an altitude of 9,000 feet, the pilot informed ATC about the failure of the right engine and was cleared to divert to Matthew Town. On approach, the left engine also lost power and the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in the sea about 2 km offshore. The pilot was rescued and both passengers were killed.

Crashed on approach to Treasure Cay Airport, killing all five occupants.

Crashed in unknown circumstances on approach to Marsh Harbour Airport. All five occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.

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.

Crashed in unknown circumstances in the sea off George Town. The crew was rescued and the aircraft sank and was lost.

Crashed while approaching Nassau Airport by night on a flight from Santa Ana, California. Both occupants were injured.

Crashed in unknown circumstances while landing at Hoffmans Cay Airport. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

The aircraft crashed in the ocean near Duncan Town, Bahamas. The weather according to witnesses was VMC. The flight had been airborne enroute from Nassau for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Witnesses on a nearby boat said the aircraft was flying in a slight left bank when the left wing separated from the aircraft. The aircraft rolled to the left and impacted the water. The wreckage sank where the water was about 50 feet deep. The left outboard wing panel was recovered and examined at the NTSN laboratory. All fractures were found to be from overstress. No preexisting cracks were found and no evidence of fatigue or failure from corrosion. The wing tip had crushing damage and a blue paint transfer as if from a collision. The partly blue vertical stab was damaged from the separated wing sect striking it. The weather reported en route was: broken to overcast with rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. Examination of the later recovered inboard left wing section showed separation of the outboard wing section resulted from overstress. All six occupants were killed.

Upon landing at Marsh Harbour, the twin engine aircraft went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. All eight occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.