N2943LMooney M20C2008-03-24 NTSB Accident Report

Substantial
Fatal

Mooney M20CS/N: 670077

Summary

On March 24, 2008, a Mooney M20C (N2943L) was involved in an accident near Freeport, BF. The accident resulted in 2 fatal injuries. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

On March 24, 2008, at about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2943L, registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, experienced an in-flight break up off the shore of Grand Bahamas, Bahamas. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from the Grand Bahama International Airport (MYGF), Freeport, Grand Bahamas at 1319. According to the Freeport Approach Control personnel, the pilot departed from MYGF at 1319 enroute to the Port St Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida.

This accident is documented in NTSB report MIA08WA082. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2943L.

Accident Details

Date
Monday, March 24, 2008
NTSB Number
MIA08WA082
Location
Freeport, Bahamas
Event ID
20080408X00437
Coordinates
26.681667, -79.043609
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
MOONEY
Serial Number
670077
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1967
Model / ICAO
M20CM20P
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
JONES JAMES M
Address
855 5TH PL
Status
Deregistered
City
VERO BEACH
State / Zip Code
FL 32962-1598
Country
United States

Analysis

On March 24, 2008, at about 1345 eastern daylight time, a Mooney M20C, N2943L, registered to and operated by a private individual as a 14 Code of federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight, experienced an in-flight break up off the shore of Grand Bahamas, Bahamas. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The private pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from the Grand Bahama International Airport (MYGF), Freeport, Grand Bahamas at 1319.

According to the Freeport Approach Control personnel, the pilot departed from MYGF at 1319 enroute to the Port St Lucie County International Airport, Fort Pierce, Florida. The pilot was not in radio communication with the Freeport approach control personnel after his departure, and they did not receive any "MAYDAY" transmissions. Approximately 8 miles west of Grand Bahama Island, a fisherman reported "a loud noise was heard which he thought was thunder and upon looking up, saw what appeared to be an airplane engine falling from the sky. The engine blew up upon hitting the water." Additionally, "several other pieces of what was thought to be an aircraft wing and other pieces of debris fell from the sky." At that point, he maneuvered his boat in the direction of the downed airplane but found only floating debris.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Bahamas. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:

Flight Standards Inspectorate

Civil Aviation Department

P.O. Box AP 59244

Nassau International Airport

Phone: (242) 377-3457

Facsimile: (242) 377-6060

This report is for information purposes only and contains only information obtained for or released by the Bahamian Government.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# MIA08WA082