Accident Overview
On May 11, 1998, at approximately 1349 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 421B, registration N17BN, crashed into Lake Killarney on New Providence Island, Bahamas, while conducting a straight-in approach for landing at Nassau International Airport. The aircraft was owned by Quinn Industries, Inc. and operated as a personal flight under 14 CFR 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.
Flight History
The flight originated about 26 minutes before the accident. According to initial reports, the flight had departed earlier that day from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, with a planned stop at Governor's Harbour, Eleuthera, for refueling. Upon landing at Governor's Harbour, the pilot was advised that no fuel was available, and he elected to proceed to Nassau for refueling.
Accident Sequence
During the straight-in approach, the pilot transmitted that he was "low on fuel." Subsequently, N17BN crashed approximately 400 yards short of the runway into a swampy area of Lake Killarney.
Injuries and Damage
The pilot suffered serious injuries, while two passengers sustained minor injuries. The airplane received unknown damage.