3 fatalities

1975-08-08: Beechcraft D18 (N80006) — Bush Aviation — Atlantic Ocean, World

Atlantic Ocean, WorldFlight

On August 8, 1975, a Beechcraft D18 (registration N80006) operated by Bush Aviation was involved in an aviation accident near Atlantic Ocean, World in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781229978Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft en route from Fort Lauderdale to Great Inagua Island reported fuel shortage before crashing into the sea. Search operations were suspended after no trace of the aircraft or its three occupants was found.

Incident Details

An aircraft was traveling from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Great Inagua Island in the Bahamas. While en route, the pilot reported that fuel was running low. Shortly after this communication, the aircraft crashed into the sea, and radar contact was lost.

Search and Rescue

Search and rescue operations were conducted following the crash. After several days, the search was suspended because no evidence of the aircraft or its three occupants could be located.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was double engine failure due to fuel exhaustion. Contributing factors identified included inadequate preflight preparation, the pilot becoming lost or disoriented, fuel exhaustion, and an improperly loaded aircraft.