Accident Overview
On June 9, 2008, at approximately 1401 eastern daylight time, an Aero Commander 500S, registration N501AP, operated by Gramar 500, Inc., experienced a loss of engine power in both engines and was ditched in the Atlantic Ocean about half a mile south of North Bimini, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the pilot had filed a visual flight rules flight plan for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight from Nassau International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas, to Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE), Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Sequence of Events
The pilot, who was the sole occupant and not injured, stated that while the flight was past Bimini, the right engine began running rough and losing power. He turned southeast to enter a left base for runway 09 at South Bimini Airport. Shortly thereafter, the left engine also began to run rough and lost power. The pilot ditched the aircraft, evacuated into a life raft, and was rescued by a pleasure boater. The aircraft was destroyed due to salt water immersion.
Fuel and Engine Information
The pilot reported that 25 gallons of fuel were added while at Nassau International Airport, for a total fuel supply of 90 gallons. Both engines were test run 8 days after the accident using a test propeller. Both engines ran to near maximum RPM. Prior to the test run, one magneto from each engine had been replaced.