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Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo off Providenciales

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1993 at 1015 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N36L
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cap Haïtien - Great Inagua
MSN:
31-10
YOM:
1967
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2027
Captain / Total hours on type:
380.00
Circumstances:
On July 10, 1993, about 1015 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31, N36L, registered to and operated by the Schaked Corporation, experienced total loss of power from both engines due to fuel exhaustion and was ditched about 18 nautical miles south of the Providenciales Airport, Turks and Caicos Islands, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane has not been recovered and is presumed to be destroyed. The airline transport-rated pilot and commercial pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The flight originated about 0900 from Cap Haitien, Haiti. The day before the accident flight, the fuel tanks were filled and the airplane was then flown for about 2 hours. After landing, the pilot requested an auxiliary power unit (APU) for the following morning to jump start the engines due to electrical system problems. The pilot further stated that during the airplane preflight, he visually determined that the fuel tanks were 1/2 full. The APU was used to start the engines and about 20 minutes after departure, the electrical system failed. The flight continued and about 44 minutes later, Grand Turk Approach Control was contacted using a hand held radio. A clearance to land was requested and the controller was advised that the airplane was low on fuel. The controller advised the crew that the flight was about 60 miles east of the airport and the Providenciales Airport was about 31 miles north of their position. The flight proceeded directly to that airport and shortly thereafter, the pilot stated that the left engine failed due to fuel exhaustion. About 5 minutes later, the right engine failed due to the same reason. The airplane was ditched and the occupants were rescued about 7 hours after the ditching. According to the pilot-rated passenger, the pilot reset the alternators and voltage regulators after contact was established with the approach control facility.
Probable cause:
Total loss of engine power from both engines due to fuel exhaustion after the pilot became lost/disoriented. Contributing to the accident was the delay by the pilot-in-command to execute the emergency procedure by resetting the alternators and voltage regulators following total failure of the electrical system. Also contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane by the pilot-in-command with known deficiencies in equipment.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65 Queen Air off Nassau

Date & Time: Aug 6, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N35PK
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Great Inagua
MSN:
LC-123
YOM:
1962
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2240
Captain / Total hours on type:
21.00
Circumstances:
While en route at 9,000 feet msl at night, the right engine reportedly lost power and was feathered. The pilot reported that the left engine had a partial loss of power and the aircraft would not maintain altitude. Communication was maintained with Miami Center until the pilot reported ditching about 40 miles south of Nassau, Bahamas. At 0600, a US Navy vessel rescued the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft was not recovered from the ocean.
Probable cause:
Occurrence #1: loss of engine power
Phase of operation: cruise - normal
Findings
1. (c) aircraft performance,two or more engines - inoperative
2. (c) reason for occurrence undetermined
----------
Occurrence #2: forced landing
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
----------
Occurrence #3: ditching
Phase of operation: landing - flare/touchdown
Findings
3. (f) light condition - dark night
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Aero Commander 520 off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1980
Operator:
Registration:
N515E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Lantana - Great Inagua Island
MSN:
520-71
YOM:
1953
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane crashed in unknown circumstances into the sea off Great Inagua Island. SAR operations were initiated but the wreckage nor both occupants were recovered.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft G18S off Nassau

Date & Time: Sep 12, 1978 at 2230 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N948Q
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Barranquilla - Great Inagua - Fort Lauderdale
MSN:
BA-597
YOM:
1961
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5100
Captain / Total hours on type:
46.00
Circumstances:
The twin engine airplane was completing a flight from Barranquilla to Fort Lauderdale with an intermediate stop on Great Inagua Island. While cruising off the Bahamas coast by night, the pilot declared an emergency after an engine failure and attempted to divert to the nearest airport. Eventually, he was forced to ditch the airplane few miles offshore. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft sank and was not recovered.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure for undetermined reasons. The following findings were reported:
- Aircraft came to rest in water,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Ditched in international waters, not recovered.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680F off Great Inagua: 2 killed

Date & Time: Aug 7, 1978 at 1106 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N669SA
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
680-1667-131
YOM:
1967
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1800
Captain / Total hours on type:
17.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Great Inagua Island, the pilot declared an emergency and reported an engine fire. He elected to divert to the nearest airport but eventually ditched the aircraft into the sea. SAR operations did no find any trace of the aircraft nor both occupants.
Probable cause:
Ditching following fire in engine in flight for undetermined reasons.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft 65-B80 Queen Air off Ponce

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1977 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N99JL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Great Inagua - Christiansted
MSN:
LD-277
YOM:
1966
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
10000
Captain / Total hours on type:
20.00
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, was completing a pleasure flight from Great Inagua Island to Christiansted, US Virgin Island. While flying along the south coast of Puerto Rico, he contacted ATC and declared an emergency after both engines failed simultaneously. He reduced his altitude then ditched the aircraft about 32 miles southeast of Ponce VOR. The pilot was rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Powerplant failure in flight for undetermined reasons. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Attempted operation with know deficiencies in equipment,
- Improper in-flight decisions,
- Inadequate maintenance and inspection,
- Failure of two engines,
- Forced landing off airport on water,
- Both fuel flowmeters,
- Left engine alternator inoperative,
- Wet comp 20-30° error.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft D18S into the Atlantic Ocean: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1975 at 1756 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N80006
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale - Great Inagua
MSN:
A-65
YOM:
1946
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Captain / Total flying hours:
1350
Captain / Total hours on type:
845.00
Circumstances:
En route from Fort Lauderdale to Great Inagua Island, the pilot reported he was short of fuel. Radar contact was lost after the airplane crashed in to the sea. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended after few days as no trace of the airplane nor the three occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Became lost/disoriented,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Improperly loaded aircraft.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation off Great Inagua Island: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1971 at 2205 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N564E
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Santo Domingo - Miami
MSN:
4834
YOM:
1958
Country:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Captain / Total flying hours:
14000
Captain / Total hours on type:
5000.00
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on a cargo flight from Santo Domingo to Miami, the four engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea off Great Inagua Island. The airplane exploded while contacting water and was totally destroyed. All four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that a fire broke out in the cargo compartment was not ruled out.
Final Report:

Crash of a Britten-Norman BN-2A Islander into the Sargasso Sea: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N852JA
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Fort Lauderdale – Great Inagua – San Juan
MSN:
72
YOM:
1969
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2475
Captain / Total hours on type:
15.00
Circumstances:
En route from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan via Great Inagua, the airplane crashed into the Sargasso Sea in unknown circumstances. There was no distress call sent by the pilot en route. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor both occupants was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the exact cause of the accident could not be determined.
Final Report:

Crash of a North American B-25 Mitchell off The Bahamas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 5, 1966
Operator:
Registration:
N92877
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Miami – Bimini – Matthew Town – Oranjestad
MSN:
82-5228
YOM:
1941
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
4000
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Miami to Oranjestad (Aruba) with intermediate stops in Bimini and Matthew Town (Great Inagua Island), carrying two pilots and a load of frozen chickens, eggs and plane parts. Few minutes after takeoff from Bimini Airport, while in cruising altitude, the crew informed ATC about his position vertical to Andros Island when contact was lost shortly later. SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, investigations were unable to determine the cause of the accident.
Final Report: