Accident
On March 25, 2012, at approximately 1:30 PM local time (1830 UTC), a Piper PA-32R-300 aircraft, registration N8415C, crashed into bushes shortly after takeoff from Runway 32 at Treasure Cay International Airport, Abaco, Bahamas. The aircraft was found burning in bushes on the right side of Runway 32, 616 feet from the edge, 271 feet from S. C. Bootle Highway, and 3,428 feet from the threshold of Runway 32. The crash occurred at coordinates 26°44.86'N, 077°23.473'W.
Aircraft and Occupants
The aircraft, serial number 32R-7680112, was a single-engine, fixed-wing Piper PA-32R-300 registered in the United States to Moonchaser LLC and operated by Mr. Gregory Allan Schwartzenberger. On board were the pilot, three passengers, and two dogs. All occupants received fatal injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact sequence and post-impact fire.
Flight History
The aircraft and its occupants arrived from Fort Pierce, Florida (KFPR), USA on March 21, 2012. On the morning of the accident, a VFR flight plan was filed with Miami Lockheed Flight Service for a flight from Marsh Harbour, Abaco to Fort Pierce, Florida. The flight plan specified an altitude of 6,500 feet and an estimated enroute time of two hours. The pilot received an abbreviated weather briefing from the Flight Service Center. The required Bahamas Customs Aircraft General Declaration form indicated four persons onboard. Each occupant carried bags weighing approximately one hundred pounds. No fuel was requested by the pilot during his stay or prior to departure.
Pilots of arriving aircraft at Treasure Cay International Airport on the day reported strong winds, a favored runway of 14, and wind shear in the area. The accident aircraft was observed taxiing to depart from Runway 32. The aircraft departed at approximately 1:30 PM local (1830 UTC). Visual meteorological conditions prevailed.
Approximately thirty to forty minutes after departure, black smoke was observed from the forested area right of Runway 32. Firemen stationed at the airport investigated. The occupants were found burnt beyond recognition. First responders and local authorities arrived thereafter.
Personnel Information
The pilot, Gregory Allan Schwartzenberger, aged 61, of Neptune Beach, Florida, USA, held a valid Private Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA on August 23, 2011, with airplane single-engine land and instrument airplane ratings, and no limitations. He also held a Third Class medical certificate issued on June 22, 2010, with the limitation: “Must Have Available Glasses For Near Vision.” His total civilian flight time exceeded 250 hours. FAA records showed no violations or prior accident history.