History of Flight
The flight originated from San Andros International Airport at approximately 8:15 am EST on January 17, 2018, intending to fly to Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau under visual flight rules. After takeoff, the pilot contacted air traffic control and received weather information. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft reversed course and made several unusual turns while climbing and descending without ATC approval. The aircraft then disappeared from radar. Attempts to communicate with the aircraft were unsuccessful.
Injuries to Persons
The pilot and five passengers were killed in the accident.
Damage to Aircraft
The aircraft was destroyed. Approximately 90% of the wreckage was recovered from the ocean and sent to the United States for analysis.
Personnel Information
The pilot was the sole flight crew member. No further details on the pilot are provided in the report.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was a Piper Aztec PA-23-250, United States registration N62769. It was on a VFR flight plan.
Meteorological Information
At the time of the accident, marginal visual meteorological conditions were present in the vicinity of the crash.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The aircraft crashed into the Atlantic Ocean approximately 4 nautical miles southeast of Mastic Point, North Andros. The initial recovery yielded limited wreckage and remains. On February 14, 2018, a local fisherman found major components; authorities were notified on February 18. Salvage efforts on February 25 recovered about 90% of the wreckage, which was transported to the USA for analysis.
Probable Cause
The Air Accident Investigation Department determined the probable cause to be human factors error, specifically the pilot's failure to maintain control of the aircraft, possibly as a result of spatial disorientation and a lack of situational awareness, causing him to continue flight into meteorological conditions for which he was not comfortable flying.