Accident Summary
On January 18, 2002, at 1440 eastern standard time, a Britten-Norman BN2-A, registration N616GL, operated by Fly BVI Inc. under Title 14 CFR Part 135 as a sightseeing flight, ditched off Beef Island, British Virgin Islands. The ditching followed a complete loss of engine power on both engines. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged, but the air transport pilot and his passengers were not injured.
Aircraft and Flight Details
The flight departed Beef Island, British Virgin Islands, at 1400. According to the pilot, during the sightseeing tour, the airplane experienced a total loss of power on both engines simultaneously. The pilot contacted the Beef Island control tower, declared an emergency, and provided his position report. He then stated his intention to ditch the airplane off the coast of Beef Island.
Ditching and Examination
The airplane came to rest in six feet of water near the shoreline. An examination conducted by personnel from the Department of Civil Aviation, British Virgin Islands, found approximately 23 gallons of fuel in each fuel tank.