Crash of a Rockwell Shrike Commander 500S off Andros Town

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1973 at 0755 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N69NP
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Nassau - Nassau
MSN:
500-3100
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2040
Captain / Total hours on type:
80.00
Circumstances:
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.
Probable cause:
Forced landing off airport on water following a complete failure of both engines. The following factors were reported:
- The pilot exercised poor judgment,
- The pilot failed to follow the approved procedures,
- The pilot failed to use miscellaneous equipment,
- Engine loaded up.
Final Report:

Crash of a Lockheed 18-56 LodeStar off Chub Cay: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 6, 1973 at 0050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N620S
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
2191
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
6000
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Chub Cay Airport by night when the twin engine airplane crashed into the sea few km offshore. SAR operations were conducted but eventually abandoned after few days as no trace of the aircraft nor both pilots was found.
Probable cause:
Due to lack of evidences, the cause of the accident could not be determined. Nevertheless, it is believed that the accident was caused by an engine failure.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft E18S off Treasure Cay: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 26, 1973 at 1240 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N5000J
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Orlando - Treasure Cay
MSN:
BA-256
YOM:
1957
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Captain / Total flying hours:
11384
Captain / Total hours on type:
19.00
Circumstances:
On final approach to Treasure Cay Airport, the twin engine airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few miles offshore. The aircraft was lost and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.
Final Report:

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL in Cockburn Town

Date & Time: Mar 2, 1973 at 1850 LT
Registration:
N6574
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Miami - Cockburn Town
MSN:
4388
YOM:
1942
Country:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
6900
Captain / Total hours on type:
700.00
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the descent to Cockburn Town Airport, San Salvador Island. After touchdown on runway 28, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran and plunged into the sea. All 23 occupants were evacuated and the copilot was seriously injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The selected the wrong runway relative to existing wind. The pilot-in-command misjudged distance and speed. The following factors were reported:
- Wet runway,
- Downwind,
- The crew did not see the lighted wind sock and landed downwind.
Final Report:

Crash of a Rockwell Grand Commander 680E off The Bahamas: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1972 at 1812 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N4900
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bimini - Nassau
MSN:
680-710-22
YOM:
1959
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
5709
Captain / Total hours on type:
73.00
Circumstances:
On a flight from Bimini to Nassau, while cruising in very bad weather conditions, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed into the sea. The wreckage and both dead bodies were found 13 days later few km offshore. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity and turbulences.
Probable cause:
Uncontrolled descent and crash in water after the pilot-in-command continued under VFR mode into adverse weather conditions. The following factors were reported:
- Spatial disorientation,
- Turbulences associated with clouds and thunderstorm activity,
- Inadequate preflight preparation,
- Thunderstorm activity and rain falls,
- Zero visibility.
Final Report:

Crash of a De Havilland DH.104 Riley Dove in Rock Sound

Date & Time: Apr 20, 1972
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N50S
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
04461
YOM:
1955
Country:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Rock Sound Airport, the twin engine aircraft came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed by fire.

Crash of a Cessna 207 Skywagon in Cockburn Town: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 4, 1972 at 1640 LT
Operator:
Registration:
N1607U
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Cockburn Town – Stella Maris
MSN:
207-0207
YOM:
1971
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
1528
Captain / Total hours on type:
159.00
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Cockburn Town Airfield (San Salvador Island), the single engine aircraft crashed in unknown circumstances. The pilot and a passenger were killed while four other occupants were seriously injured. The airplane was enroute to Stella Maris, Long Island, Bahamas.
Final Report:

Crash of a Beechcraft B90 King Air off Freeport

Date & Time: Dec 27, 1971 at 1530 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
N480K
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Little Whale Cay - Freeport
MSN:
LJ-439
YOM:
1969
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
12300
Captain / Total hours on type:
200.00
Circumstances:
While approaching Freeport, both engines stopped simultaneously. The pilot was able to inform ATC about his position and ditched the aircraft 29 km south of Freeport. The pilot was quickly rescued while the aircraft sank and was lost.
Probable cause:
Failure of both engines in flight due to fuel exhaustion. The following factors were reported:
- Mismanagement of fuel,
- Miscalculated fuel consumption,
- Fuel exhaustion,
- Failure of both engines,
- Pilot stated fuel totalizer showed 387 lbs while fuel gauges showed zero.
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 Beechcraft D18S in Freeport

Date & Time: Jan 10, 1970 at 1011 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N44CA
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
West Palm Beach – Freeport – Great Harbor Key
MSN:
A-143
YOM:
1946
Country:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2100
Captain / Total hours on type:
450.00
Circumstances:
Upon landing at Freeport Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and came to rest. The pilot, sole on board, was uninjured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Suspected mechanical discrepancy.
Final Report: