What happened
On September 12, 2024, a Piper PA-23-250 with US registration N555MH departed Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) in Nassau, Bahamas, bound for San Andros Airport. The flight was being conducted under visual flight rules (VFR).
While attempting to land at San Andros, the pilot encountered deteriorating weather conditions. Radar data indicates the aircraft made three unsuccessful approach attempts at the destination due to poor visibility. At approximately 2:24 pm local time, the pilot decided to return to Nassau. Shortly after initiating the return, the pilot reported engine issues to Nassau Approach Control, followed by a full emergency declaration after observing a loss of power to both engines.
With the engines failing, the pilot opted to ditch the aircraft in the sea. The aircraft went down approximately 6.5 nautical miles west of the Lynden Pindling International Airport runway threshold. While all six occupants—one pilot and five passengers—successfully exited the aircraft, the rescue operation resulted in two fatalities, involving an 87-year-old male and a 43-year-old female. The remaining four individuals sustained minor injuries.
The investigation
The investigation by the AAIA examined the aircraft's maintenance, weather conditions, and the sequence of events leading to the engine failure. Investigators reviewed meteorological data, which showed deep convective activity and thunderstorms across the Northwest Bahamas, resulting in visibility below the 3-statute-mile requirement for VFR operations.
Investigators also reviewed the aircraft's fuel records, noting a 30-gallon uplift the previous day, though the total fuel remaining at the time of the accident was unconfirmed. The investigation also looked into the airport's operational procedures, noting that no formal written procedure for low-visibility operations existed at the airport until the day after the accident.