2021 IAI Westwind 1124A Crash at Treasure Cay International Airport (N790JR)

Accident Overview and Immediate Aftermath On July 5, 2021, at approximately 3:45 p.m. EDT (1945 UTC), an Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Westwind 1124A, bearing United States registration N790JR, crashed shortly after the end of runway 32 at Treasure Cay International Airport (MYAT) in Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. The aircraft plowed through airport lighting equipment at the runway's end and broke several trees along its path. A trail of aviation fuel and scattered flight deck avionics components marked the aircraft's trajectory before it struck a small mound, spun, hit additional trees, broke apart, and burst into flames. The wreckage came to rest at coordinates 26°45’21.50”N, 77°24’7.26”W, approximately 2,000 feet (0.33 miles) from the end of runway 32. ## Emergency Response and Fire Damage Because Treasure Cay International Airport did not have a fire truck or crash and rescue personnel stationed on site, assistance was requested from the town. Two township firetrucks responded, but the crash location and lack of an access road prevented them from reaching the site to extinguish the blaze. The fire continued unimpeded, dampened only by intermittent rain, which limited the spread to surrounding bushes but did not extinguish the flames. The fire totally destroyed the aircraft and much of the control surfaces and components in the direct area of the blaze. ## Investigation and Flight Details On July 6, a team of investigators from the AAIA and CAA-B was dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival, surrounding brush, trees, and some aircraft parts were still burning. Initial assessments pointed to a possible failure of the aircraft to climb and perform as required. Runway 14/32 is 7,001 by 150 feet with an asphalt surface. Based on the distance the aircraft traveled from the end of the runway to its final resting place, the signature marking on trees and airport lighting fixtures, ground scars, and pieces of the aircraft beyond the runway, it appears the aircraft was approximately 2 to 5 feet above the surface and not developing any lift or climb performance while developing full power over the ground, striking trees and brush along its path. Investigations uncovered that the private flight, with a crew of two, proposed a flight time departure of 2:10 p.m. EDT from Treasure Cay International Airport (MYAT), with a planned destination of Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN), and an arrival time of 2:33 p.m. EDT, according to a flight plan retrieved from Flightaware.com. The flight plan did not specify whether the flight would be operated under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) or Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). Witness statements taken at Treasure Cay recalled two pilots entering the ramp after 3 p.m. Witnesses also stated that one of the persons onboard advised customs that they would be departing for Marsh Harbor for fuel in the aircraft (N790JR).