Accident Details
On August 28, 1995, at approximately 1331 eastern daylight time, a Beech E18S, registration N171LG, operated by Avmac Air, Inc. as a 14 CFR Part 135 nonscheduled international cargo flight, crashed into the Atlantic Ocean about 45 miles northwest of Freeport, Bahamas. The flight originated from Orlando, Florida, at about 1229. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed. The aircraft was destroyed. The airline transport-rated pilot has not been located and is presumed to have been fatally injured.
Communications
At 1328:33, a person identifying himself as the pilot of N171LG contacted the FAA Miami Flight Service Station by radio. The pilot reported he was 46 miles northwest of Freeport and requested information on the weather at Freeport. The weather was provided. At 1330:15, the pilot reported an emergency. When asked the nature of the emergency, the pilot responded, "fire onboard." No further transmissions were received from the flight, and attempts to contact it were unsuccessful.
Search and Recovery
Search and rescue efforts were initiated. At 1600, an oil slick, the left main landing gear from N171LG, personal effects of the pilot, and debris from the cabin contents were found floating on the ocean surface, approximately 40 miles northwest of Freeport. Examination of the recovered debris showed no evidence of fire damage. The main wreckage of N171LG was not located and recovered.
Investigation
The investigation examined the recovered debris and communications records. No evidence of fire damage was found on the debris that was recovered. The main wreckage remains unrecovered, limiting the ability to determine the sequence of events leading to the accident.