What happened
On June 5, 2018, at approximately 3:45 pm local time, a Cessna 421B crashed during the initial climb phase following departure from Runway 27 at Rocksound International Airport in Eleuthera, Bahamas. The aircraft entered dense bushes, making contact with trees before striking the ground. The impact occurred at an approximately 40-degree nose-down angle with the right wing descending first.
The force of the impact created a crater measuring roughly 12 inches deep and 10 feet long. After hitting the ground, the aircraft crossed a dirt road and came to rest partially embedded in trees on an upward incline. The wreckage was located at coordinates 24° 53’ 50”N and 076° 11’33”W. A post-crash fire broke out following the impact, which destroyed the aircraft. There were 3 fatalities involving the pilot and two passengers.
Findings
Investigations by the Air Accident Investigation Department identified that the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane. While the specific circumstances leading to this loss of control remained undetermined, evidence indicated the engine was not producing full power at the time of the accident, though the reason for this power reduction was unknown. Additionally, investigators noted that the fuel selector had been set to the auxiliary tank rather than the main tank, contrary to manufacturer recommendations. Much of the critical evidence was lost due to the intensity of the post-impact fire.