No fatalities

Aircraft ditching off San Andros following engine issues (N10624)

San Andros, BahamasFlight

On September 28, 1979, a Curtiss C-46 Commando (registration N10624) operated by Miami Air Lease was involved in an aviation accident near San Andros, Bahamas in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The engine failed for reasons that have not yet been identified. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-14Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N10624
Aircraft registered N10624. Photo: ZLEA / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft was lost at sea near San Andros after the crew attempted an emergency ditching due to mechanical difficulties.

What happened

During the cruise phase of flight, the crew experienced technical complications involving one of the engines. In response to these engine problems, the decision was made to descend to a lower altitude. The crew subsequently performed an emergency ditching in the waters off San Andros.

While the aircraft itself was lost during the incident, both members of the crew were successfully rescued from the scene. No injuries or fatalities were reported among the personnel involved in the ditching.

Findings

Investigations into the event focused on the mechanical failure that prompted the emergency descent. The primary factor contributing to the loss of the aircraft was an engine failure for which the specific underlying cause remains undetermined.

Probable cause

The engine failed for reasons that have not yet been identified.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 28 Sept 1979 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident near San Andros, Bahamas?

An aircraft was lost at sea near San Andros after the crew attempted an emergency ditching due to mechanical difficulties.

Were there any fatalities in the 28 Sept 1979 Curtiss C-46 Commando accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 28 Sept 1979 involved a Curtiss C-46 Commando, registration N10624, operated by Miami Air Lease, at San Andros, Bahamas.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failed for reasons that have not yet been identified.