Synopsis
On 6 February 2007 at 1842 hours local time, a Beech 200C Super King Air, registration VQ-TIU, operated by Air Turks and Caicos (2003) Limited, crashed into a shallow lagoon approximately 1 nautical mile south-east of North Caicos Airport, Turks and Caicos Islands, British West Indies. The aircraft had just departed on a flight to Grand Turk. On board were one pilot and five passengers. The pilot received fatal injuries; the passengers mostly suffered serious injuries but all survived. Weather conditions were good, but it was after nightfall with no moon and little cultural lighting.
Accident Details
The aircraft struck the water in a nominally upright attitude with a moderate rate of descent but relatively high forward speed. Wreckage was spread along a trail exceeding 370 m on a track of 220°(M). The fuselage came to rest relatively intact but inverted. Evidence indicated each engine was producing power at impact. Although anomalies suggested a possible power asymmetry, it was not deemed sufficient to cause serious control difficulties. Passengers reported no obvious problems; most were unaware of the impending crash.
Investigation Findings
The investigation concluded that the aircraft was structurally intact and probably under control when it struck the surface. The pilot had likely started a recovery action too late to prevent the accident, but his actions reduced the descent rate and placed the aircraft in a nearly level attitude at impact, lessening damage and increasing passenger survival chances.
Causal Factors
1. The aircraft adopted an excessive degree of right bank soon after takeoff, leading to a descending, turning flight path that persisted until recovery was impossible. 2. The pilot probably became spatially disorientated and was unable to recognize or correct the situation in time.
Contributory Factors
1. Environmental conditions were conducive to spatial disorientation. 2. The pilot had probably consumed alcohol prior to the flight, increasing his susceptibility to disorientation. 3. The flight was operated single-pilot when regulations required two pilots; a second pilot would have provided protection against disorientation.
Additional Findings
- The pilot was correctly licensed and qualified.
- Aircraft maintenance records were in order; the aircraft was within mass and balance limits.
- No pre-impact engine failure was found; propellers were operating in governed range with symmetrical power.
- No evidence of flight control system failure.
- The pilot's training showed a potential weakness in instrument scan technique.
- No safety recommendations were made.
Safety Recommendations
No Safety Recommendations were made as a result of this investigation.