What happened
On June 9, 2008, an Aero Commander 500S, registration N501AP, was conducting a personal flight under visual flight rules from Nassau International Airport in the Bahamas to Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport in Florida. While the aircraft was positioned past Bimini, the right engine began operating roughly and lost power. In an attempt to reach South Bimini Airport, the pilot maneuvered for a left base approach to runway 09, but the left engine subsequently experienced similar power loss.
Following the failure of both engines, the aircraft was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean approximately half a mile south of North Bimini. The sole occupant, an airline transport rated pilot, was not injured during the incident. After the ditching, the pilot evacuated the aircraft into a life raft and was later recovered by a passing pleasure boat. The aircraft was subsequently destroyed by saltwater immersion.
Findings
Investigations into the event noted that the aircraft had departed Nassau with a total fuel load of 90 gallons, following the addition of 25 gallons at the departure airport. During post-accident testing conducted eight days later, both engines were run at near maximum RPM using a test propeller. It was noted that one magneto from each engine had been replaced prior to this test run.