What happened
On March 25, 2012, a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N8415C, crashed into a forested area near the edge of Runway 32 at Treasure Cay International Airport in Abaco, Bahamas. The aircraft, which was operating a private flight from Marsh Harbour to Fort Pierce, Florida, departed the runway at approximately 1:3 and entered an uncontrolled descent into the trees.
The impact was severe, causing the aircraft to become inverted and resulting in a significant post-impact fire. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot and three passengers, along with two dogs on board, all sustained fatal injuries. The wreckage was located approximately 3,428 feet from the runway threshold.
The investigation
The investigation examined the wreckage, the engine, and the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident. Experts from the manufacturer, Piper Aircraft, and Lycoming Engines performed off-site examinations of the airframe and powerplant. The engine examination revealed that the propeller blades were bent in a manner consistent with the engine being under power at the moment of impact, and no internal mechanical failures were identified that would have prevented the engine from producing power.
Investigators also reviewed the weather reports for the area. At the time of the accident, a pre-frontal trough was moving through the northwestern Bahamas, bringing unsettled weather, including scattered thunderstorms, rain showers, and moderate to severe turbulence. Additionally, pilots at the airport reported strong winds and the presence of wind shear during landings on the opposing runway.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was uncontrolled flight into terrain.
- Meteorological conditions, specifically the presence of possible wind shear, contributed to the loss of control.
- The pilot's decision to fly in weather conditions that exceeded the capabilities of a non-instrument rated pilot was a contributing factor.
- The decision to depart from a runway that was not the favored direction for traffic during the prevailing wind conditions also contributed to the accident.