What happened
On 19 March 2026, a Beechcraft 1900C, registration C6-KRC, was conducting a visual flight rules (VFR) flight from Nassau to Governor’s Harbour International Airport. During the final approach to runway 15, the flight crew of the Pineapple Air Ltd aircraft noted a Cirrus aircraft departing from the opposite runway, runway 3/33.
While the crew was approximately two nautical miles from the field, they engaged in radio communications with the Cirrus aircraft to clarify its position. At an altitude of roughly 700 feet, the crew visually identified the departing traffic and executed an immediate right turn to maintain separation. During this avoidance maneuver, the pilot attempted to regain control of the aircraft and reduce airspeed. Following the maneuver, the aircraft returned to the field at approximately 500 feet and subsequently landed on runway 15 without its landing gear extended.
The investigation
The preliminary investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the serious incident. Investigators examined the flight path of C6-KRC and the interaction with the departing Cirrus aircraft. The investigation established that the aircraft sustained damage to both propellers and the lower fuselage (belly) due to the landing gear being retracted during the touchdown.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating under visual flight rules in clear daylight conditions.
- The flight crew performed an immediate right turn to avoid a conflict with a departing aircraft.
- The landing gear was not deployed for the landing at Governor’s Harbour International Airport.
- There were no injuries to the crew or passengers, and no fire was reported.