Mooney M20C N2943L accident near Freeport, BS

Preliminary information

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.

Text from the NTSB; a preliminary report can change and names no cause. Open the NTSB docket for MIA08WA082 for the full record.