Bahamas

En route between the Bahamas and Florida, one of the engine failure. The pilot was forced to attempt an emergency landing and eventually ditched the aircraft off Bimini. Both occupants were rescued while the aircraft was lost. It was owned by Barbara Hall.

Shortly after takeoff from Nassau-Oakes Field Airport, while climbing, the right engine caught fire. The crew informed ATC about his situation and received the permission to return for an emergency landing. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to extinguish the fire and started the approach with the right engine still on fire. On final, smoke spread in the cockpit and just after touchdown on runway 27, the right engine detached and struck the right main gear that was sheared off. Out of control, the airplane veered off runway and eventually came to rest in flames 300 meters farther. There were no injuries but the aircraft was written off.

The crew was performing a special flight from Patrick AFB (Cocoa Beach, Florida) to San Salvador Airport in Cockburn Town, Bahamas, carrying supplies and various goods to the locals following the devastation of the hurricane 'Betsy'. The aircraft was preceded by a first C-124 registered 51-0110 which landed safely on runway 28. Its captain contacted the second C-124's crew and advised them to land on runway 10 according to the wind component. During the last segment, after passing over the runway 10 threshold at low height, the captain heard a noise coming from the right main gear and thought he had made a hard landing. He elected to make a normal hard landing recovery when control was lost. The airplane deviated from the centerline to the right and came to rest in flames, broken in two. A crew member was killed while 12 others were evacuated. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire. It is understood that a strong cross wind was blowing at the time of the accident.

Shortly after takeoff from Nassau-Oaks Field, while climbing, the airplane went out of control and crashed into the sea few hundred yards off shore. All ten crew members were killed. They were engaged in a maritime patrol flight out from Nassau.

Crashed in unknown circumstances one mile south of Nassau Airport. Crew fate remains unknown.

The airplane departed Teterboro Airport on a flight to San Juan with an intermediate stop in Miami. After passing Atlantic City, it continued to the south to Miami over the sea along the coast. The Florida coast was not sighted however. After heading west, the crew observed the Berry Group Islands (Bahamas). Since they didn't have enough fuel to reach Nassau, a forced belly landing was carried out on a beach. The surf later damaged the aircraft beyond repair. Although it cannot be proven, it was thought that the crew were asleep during part of the flight and that the autopilot processed and turned the plane westward.

Crashed into the sea off Long Island, Bahamas, while performing a night flight from Roosevelt Roads NAS (Ceiba, Porto Rico) to Key West. No trace of the aircraft nor the crew was ever found.

Shortly after takeoff from Nassau, the seaplane went out of control and crashed into the sea, off the south coast of the New Providence Island. Both crewmen were rescued while the aircraft was lost.

The floatplane assigned to VPB-2 (OTU#3) departed Banana River NAS in the early evening of July 9 on a maritime patrol flight over the Sargasso Sea, outbound to Great Exuma (Moss Town). At 2115LT, the captain informed ground that he was approaching New Providence Island, Bahamas, and that the ETA would be 0215LT. This was the last radio transmission. SAR operations were conducted for 21 days on a large area but no trace of the aircraft nor the 12 occupants was ever found. It is believed that the airplane crashed into the sea some 10 NM north of Paradise Island, New Providence. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were poor with thunderstorm activity over the area.

The crew departed Nassau-Lynden Pindling Field on a local training mission. Shortly after takeoff, the right engine failed. The crew was unable to maintain a safe altitude and the aircraft stalled and crashed into the sea some 500 yards offshore, about 7 km northeast of the airport, near the Balmoral Island. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
crew:
F/O John Walter Wood, pilot,
F/O Maurice Francis O’Neill, copilot.