What happened
On July 20, 2000, a Douglas DC-3, registration N54AA, was conducting a cargo charter operation under Part 135 regulations when it crashed near New Providence Island, Bahamas. The flight departed from Nassau International Airport under visual meteorological conditions with a filed VFR flight plan.
Shortly after the aircraft departed from runway 14, the pilot contacted the tower to report an emergency. The pilot indicated that it would be necessary to shut down the right engine and requested permission to return to the airport for an emergency landing on the same runway. During the attempt to return, the aircraft was seen losing altitude. The plane eventually impacted the ground approximately 2 miles east of the runway 14 extended centerline. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that completely destroyed the aircraft.
Findings
Both the pilot and the co-pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. The primary factor leading to the crash was the loss of power in the right engine following takeoff, which prevented the crew from maintaining altitude during the emergency return attempt.