Background
On December 2, 2014, about 0845 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-31-350, registered as C6-REV and operated as Southern Air Flight 302, was destroyed after ditching and submerging in the ocean. The aircraft was on a passenger flight from Governor's Harbour Eleuthera (MYEM), Governor's Harbour, Bahamas, to Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a visual flight rules flight plan was filed.
Accident
According to the Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Unit (AAIPU) of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Department, the airplane was on a visual approach to MYNN when it experienced landing gear problems. The pilot conducted a fly-by of the air traffic control tower to gain visual confirmation of the status of the landing gear before maneuvering for a second attempt to land. While maneuvering, the right engine stopped producing power. The pilot reported that it then became difficult to maintain altitude and that he was forced to perform an emergency landing to the water 6 miles from shore.
Rescue
The pilot and passengers successfully egressed the airplane and were rescued. However, one passenger later died due to a medical emergency.