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Cessna 421B Crash at Rocksound International Airport (N421MM)

Rock Sound, BahamasTakeoff (climb)

On June 5, 2018, a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II (registration N421MM) operated by Hat Investments was involved in an aviation accident near Rock Sound, Bahamas during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The Air Accident Investigation Department determined the probable cause to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. The circumstances contributing to this failure were undetermined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A Cessna 421B crashed shortly after departing Rocksound International Airport in the Bahamas on June 5, 2018, killing the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.

Accident Overview and Location Details On June 5, 2018, at approximately 3:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, a Cessna 421B crashed into dense bushes shortly after taking off from Runway 27 at Rocksound International Airport in Rock Sound, Eleuthera, Bahamas. The crash site was situated approximately 2,503 feet (0.41 nautical miles) north of the Runway 09 threshold and 8,588 feet (1.42 nautical miles) from the Runway 27 threshold. The fuselage was found at coordinates 24° 53’ 50”N latitude and 076° 11’33”W longitude, with the nose resting on a heading of 355° degrees. The accident resulted in the deaths of the pilot and two passengers, and the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a subsequent post-crash fire. The aircraft initially struck trees before contacting the ground and other trees within the dense vegetation. It descended with its right wing first at an approximate 40-degree nose-down angle. The impact created a crater roughly 12 inches deep, 10 feet long, and 5 feet wide. The aircraft then crossed a dirt road before coming to rest partially on an upward incline among trees. A fire broke out after the crash, which destroyed critical evidence.

Probable cause

The Air Accident Investigation Department determined the probable cause to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. The circumstances contributing to this failure were undetermined. Evidence indicated the aircraft was not producing full power at the time of loss of control, though the reasons for the reduced power were unknown. It could not be determined why the fuel selector was positioned to the auxiliary tank instead of the main tank as required by the manufacturer's recommendation. Critical evidence was destroyed in the post-impact fire.
Loss of control in flight

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Jun 2018 Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II accident near Rock Sound, Bahamas?

A Cessna 421B crashed shortly after departing Rocksound International Airport in the Bahamas on June 5, 2018, killing the pilot and two passengers. The aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Jun 2018 Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Jun 2018 involved a Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II, registration N421MM, operated by Hat Investments, at Rock Sound, Bahamas.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The Air Accident Investigation Department determined the probable cause to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane. The circumstances contributing to this failure were undetermined. Evidence indicated the aircraft was not producing full power at the time of loss of control, though the reasons for…

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