Accident Synopsis
On June 27, 2007, at approximately 1721 eastern daylight time (2121Z), a Pilatus Britten Norman Islander, registration N133RS, crashed short of runway 14 at Windsor Field in Nassau, Bahamas. The aircraft, owned by FYP LTP and operated by Golden Wings Charter, sustained substantial damage. The pilot, who was the only person aboard, reported no serious injuries or fatalities.
Flight Details
The flight originated from Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau (MYNN) with a destination of Little Whale Cay, Berry Island (MYBX). After reaching Little Whale Cay, the aircraft returned to Nassau, which was the accident leg. At approximately 1718 eastern daylight time (2118Z), the pilot reported that the left engine had failed. Three minutes later, at 1721, the pilot stated he was unable to reach runway 14 and crashed approximately half a mile short of it. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
Investigation Findings
The Flight Standards Inspectorate determined that the probable cause of the accident was a propulsion system malfunction due to fuel exhaustion of the left engine, followed by inappropriate crew response (fuel mismanagement). Contributing factors identified included the pilot's unfamiliarity with the aircraft fuel system, limited command experience, failure to conduct a proper preflight inspection (not visually checking fuel tanks despite knowing the gauges were faulty), complacency with documentation of defects (not advising maintenance or management of faulty gauges), reliance on erroneous indications, lack of situational awareness, and failure to recognize that the problem was fuel exhaustion rather than engine failure, neglecting to use cross-feed procedures.