Accident Overview
On October 22, 2004, at approximately 1328 eastern daylight time (1828Z), a Beechcraft 1900C, registration N79YV, was ditched approximately 82 yards off the southern shoreline of New Providence Island, about 6.98 nautical miles southeast of Nassau International Airport. The aircraft came to rest in roughly four feet of water. The accident was notified to the Flight Standards Inspectorate by the Nassau Control Tower. Visual Meteorological Conditions prevailed, and an outbound visual flight plan was on file. The airplane sustained substantial damage.
Aircraft and Crew
The aircraft, registered to JODA LLC of Chesterfield, Missouri, and operated by Southern Air Charter Limited of Nassau, Bahamas, was a United States-registered aircraft operating on an approved United States 129.14 maintenance program. The State of Manufacture (United States) was advised of the accident and invited to participate in the investigation. The NTSB and FAA were also notified and made party to the investigation. The occupants consisted of eight passengers and a crew of two. The Pilot in Command held an Airline Transport Pilot rating, and the First Officer held a Commercial Pilot rating; both were certificated by the FAA. No serious injuries or fatalities were reported.
Flight History
N79YV operated as a scheduled air commuter on a domestic transport flight. The flight originated from Arthur’s Town, Cat Island, Bahamas, en route to Nassau International Airport. Earlier that day, at 6:35 am, a total of 386 gallons of fuel was uplifted, bringing the fuel total to 2800 pounds. Three flights were conducted lasting 29 minutes, 11 minutes, and 21 minutes (total chock-to-chock time of 61 minutes), using 700 pounds of fuel, reducing the total to 2100 pounds. At 8:42 am, an additional 146 gallons of fuel was uplifted, bringing the total back to 2800 pounds. No additional fuel slips were produced to show any further uplift. A total of eight flights, including the accident flight, were conducted with this 2800 pounds of fuel.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause was the failure of the right engine due to fuel exhaustion. No fuel was found in the left or right collector tanks.