(Mayaguana, Bahamas) – RBPF: Three (3) people, two (2) females and a male are dead following an early morning accident at Mayaguana on Thursday 4th April, 2013.

The incident reportedly occurred around 1:00 am at the Mayaguana Airport as airport officials, residents and volunteers used their vehicle lights to assist an emergency aircraft in landing.

The nine(9) seater twin engine aircraft was reportedly enroute to Mayaguana to collect a male patient when one of its wings reportedly collided with a F-150 truck driven by a female.

The plane reportedly spun out of control which resulted in it colliding with another truck, which on impact became engulfed in flames.

The victims were trapped in the truck and subsequently burnt beyond recognition.

No injury was reported to the pilot; however, the plane was extensively damaged during the incident. Investigations continue.

 

Related Release  by The Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin  Minister of Transport and Aviation

 

Tragic aviation accident in Mayaguana

In the early hours of this morning I was informed of an aviation accident in Mayaguana resulting in the tragic death of 3 people. I am advised that all 3 persons are residents of the island of Mayaguana.

A preliminary report from the Department of Civil Aviation says that on 4 th April, 2013 at approximately 12:30 a.m. a Cessna C402 owned by Leair Charter Service Limited with a crew of 2 on board was making a landing at night for an emergency evacuation flight with two vehicles strategically placed to outline the useable portion of the runway. It is reported that the aircraft made contact with one of the vehicles resulting in the deaths of the 3 passengers in that vehicle.

An investigative team comprising the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit of the Department of Civil Aviation will fly into Mayaguana at 5 a.m. this morning.

I wish to assure that a full investigation will be carried out by the Department of Civil Aviation into the causes and circumstances surrounding this terrible event. I will report further as information permits. Out of respect for the families, the names of the persons killed will not be disclosed until an official release is made by the Royal Bahamas Police Force.

I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of these beloved persons and to the wider community of Mayaguana who share in this loss.