Occurrence Summary
On October 17, 2022, at approximately 4:30 pm EDT (2030 UTC), a Beechcraft B99 with registration C6-OFM, operated by Flamingo Air Limited, was conducting a commercial flight from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, to Black Point Airport (MYEB), Exuma, Bahamas. The aircraft carried nine passengers and two crew members. According to the pilots, the flight was uneventful until landing.
Upon landing on runway 11 at MYEB, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the aircraft to veer left of the runway centerline. The aircraft traveled approximately 1,516 feet down the runway, then exited the paved surface on the left side and continued an additional 265 feet before coming to rest in bushes at coordinates 24°05'21.20"N 76°23'48.10"W, oriented north (approximately 355°) about 50 feet from the runway edge. Damage was observed to the left wing, left propeller, and aircraft undercarriage including the pod. There were no reported injuries.
Aircraft Information
The Beechcraft 99 is a twin-engine unpressurized turboprop aircraft designed in the 1960s, seating up to 17 persons. Aircraft C6-OFM (serial number U-58) was owned by Ocean Airways Company Limited and operated by Flamingo Air Limited. Post-accident inspection revealed a fracture in the left main landing gear drag brace support fitting.
Investigation Findings
Pilot Information
The pilot-in-command, aged 55, held a Commercial Pilot certificate with multi-engine land and instrument ratings issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAA-B) on January 25, 2021, expiring January 31, 2026. He had approximately 8,000 total flight hours, including 1,800 hours on type. His first-class medical certificate, issued July 18, 2022, included the limitation "Have available glasses for near vision."
The second-in-command, aged 26, held a Commercial Pilot certificate with multi-engine land and instrument ratings issued August 1, 2019, expiring August 31, 2024. He had about 800 total flight hours, with 150 hours on type. His first-class medical certificate, issued April 28, 2022, required corrective lenses.
Aerodrome Information
Black Point Airport (MYEB) is served by a single asphalt runway (11/29) with dimensions 2,623 feet long and 60 feet wide. The aerodrome is Class E airspace for VFR traffic. Runway edge lights, runway end lights, and taxiway edge lights are installed, but the aerodrome lacks runway threshold markings, designation markings, holding position markings, and centerline markings.
Weather
At the time of the accident, conditions were Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) with daylight. The nearest reporting station, Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) 82 nautical miles away, reported at 2000 UTC: wind calm, visibility greater than 6 statute miles, scattered clouds, temperature 30°C, dewpoint 22°C, altimeter 29.98 in Hg.
Analysis
Investigators observed tire signature markings suggesting touchdown prior to the beginning of the usable paved portion of the runway. The report notes that several occurrences at MYEB over the previous three years involved similar evidence of early touchdown. These occurrences involved multiple operators and aircraft types, leading the investigation to consider that the aerodrome may have presented deficiencies, such as the absence of required runway markings. The Aeronautical Information Manual (effective 11/3/22) states that airport pavement markings and signs provide useful information to pilots during landing. Bahamas CAR AGA 1-Aerodromes requires runway designation and threshold markings at thresholds of paved runways.
Safety Recommendation
On October 20, 2022, the AAIA issued safety recommendation SR2022-002 to the Airport Authority: "The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) recommends that, without delay, the Airport Authority implements the placement of appropriate runway markings at Black Point Airport (MYEB), including threshold markings that will aid pilots in landing operations."