ERA11WA008

NTSB accident investigation · Cessna 402 · Nassau, Bahamas · October 5, 2010

Accident · FatalForeign investigation
Date
October 5, 2010, 12:36 local (16:36 UTC)
Place
Nassau, Bahamas
Injuries
9 fatal
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Aircraft
C6NLHCessna 402
Defining event
Maneuvering: Loss of control in flight
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
NTSB office
Eastern Region Aviation
Lead agency
Other
Parties
FAA/AVP-100
Case key
77497

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

On this page

Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.

Factual narrative

On October 5, 2010, about 1236 Atlantic standard time, a Cessna 402C, Bahamian registration C6-NLH, registered to and operated by Lebocruise Air Limited, crashed into Lake Killarney shortly after takeoff from the Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was filed for the non-U.S., non-commercial flight from MYNN to the San Salvador Airport (MYSM), Cockburn Town, Bahamas. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the certificated commercial pilot, co-pilot, and 7 passengers were killed. The flight originated about 1233, from MYNN. The pilot was cleared to takeoff from runway 14, and according to the pilot of an airplane who was behind the accident airplane waiting to takeoff, white colored smoke was observed trailing the left engine during takeoff. The tower controller reportedly informed the accident pilot of the smoke and the accident pilot stated to the controller he needed to return to the airport and requested runway 27. While returning to the airport, a pilot-rated witness reported seeing the airplane in a “hard over” bank to the left followed by the airplane pitching nose down. The airplane crashed into the lake approximately 1,000 feet abeam the approach threshold of runway 32. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Bahamas. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Manager of Flight Standards Inspectorate, Bahamas P.O. Box AP 59244 Nassau, N.P. Bahamas Phone: (242) 377-3445/3448 Facsimile: (242) 377-6060 This report is for information purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained for the Bahamian Government.

Aircraft

Registration
C6NLH
Reported as
Cessna 402 (C)
Category
Airplane
Serial number
402C0458
Engine
Continental TSIO-520-VB, 325 hp, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Non-U.S., non-commercial
Operator
Lebocruise Air Limited
Registered owner
Lebocruise Air Limited
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Normal
Departed
MYNN · Nassau
Destination
MYSM · Cockburn Town
Flight plan
VFR
Airport
MYNN · Lynden Pindling International, runway 14, 11,353 × 150 ft, asphalt

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
43
Injuries
Fatal
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
Seat
Left
Flight hours
12,000 total
Role
Co-pilot
Age
27
Injuries
Fatal
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Without waivers/limitations

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
110° at 6 knots
Visibility
7 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
10,000 ft broken
Temperature
88 °F, dew point 81 °F
Altimeter
29.88 inHg
Observed at
MYNN

Docket · 1

The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 15, 2010, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 36 KB in all.