UPDATED: Three American men killed in Eleuthera plane crash

As of Wednesday, June 6, 2018

An image of the crash site from social media.

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THREE American men were killed when a plane heading from Eleuthera to the United States crashed Tuesday.

The men have a house on the island and had travelled to Eleuthera on Monday to fish, according to Chris Johnson, a porter who serviced them minutes before the crash.

Air Accident Investigation Department Chief Investigator Delvin Major said the men were leaving the Rock Sound International Airport in a private plane when they crashed in a bushy area about a mile north of the runway.

A team from his department will head to Eleuthera Wednesday to investigate the incident.

Authorities would not reveal the identities of the three men yesterday but Mr Major said the pilot had requisite licenses. The crashed aircraft was a Cessna 421.

According to Mr Johnson, he and other porters took two coolers and three bags to the plane ten minutes before the incident.

“They were cool guys,” he said. “It was a father, his brother and his son. The older men looked to be in their forties or fifties while the younger one looked like he was in his twenties.

“They have a house down here. It’s a different group of them that come over from time to time.

“It’s hard for us. It happened so quickly,” the porter said.

John 5 years, 10 months ago

Authorities wasn’t even aware the plane had crashed until Bahamasair flew over and saw the wreckage several hours later around b5 p.m. and reported it.

sheeprunner12 5 years, 10 months ago

Unfortunate accident ...... May the rest in peace

Sickened 5 years, 10 months ago

Based on the tracks leading up to the crash (in the picture) it looks like they landed wheels down and then flipped. Sad!

K4C 5 years, 10 months ago

the image posted is not Cessna 421

http://tribune242.com/users/photos/20...">

http://thetribune.media.clients.ellin..." alt="None">

by K4C

B_I_D___ 5 years, 10 months ago

Not even close...single engine, fixed gear aircraft with wheel fairings...low wing, looks like it has gull type doors. The second picture in this article with the aircraft tail and Reg #'s is not the same crash site...not even the same colour/stripe pattern, that's just some fool sharing random pictures claiming it's legit from the crash scene. If you try to make out the tail number, it looks to be N421MW...which is indeed a Cessna 421...not the same plane in the 2 pictures. One of them is wrong.

B_I_D___ 5 years, 10 months ago

First instinct on the first aircraft is a Tobago, but the rear window doesn't quite match the profile.

B_I_D___ 5 years, 10 months ago

Google N421MM that is your aircraft, and it is a 421...the lead photo is incorrect.

B_I_D___ 5 years, 10 months ago

There is also a youtube video of the aircraft... "N421MM Arrival at KCMH 19 April 2012"

truetruebahamian 5 years, 10 months ago

Thank you B.I.D. Iresponsible reporting sould be highlighted when it appears. The public look sat the fourth estate as an authority and trust in its veracity. It is the reporter's responsibility to research and produce truth. Too many times pure laziness and assumptions are put into print and over the air. Example: Woodes Rogers Walk is often referred to as Woodes Rogers 'wharf' which is wrong and as a result wrongly influences readers.

TalRussell 5 years, 10 months ago

Remarkably, BahamalandAIR has maintained perfect to near perfect safety record. Now that the Comrades at Air China is buying BahamalandAIR.... and according to the stats it would seem that airline have maintained a pretty good safety record. Let's hope its outright sale 100% shares and not joint partnership venture. Red Shirts Cabinet needs maintain full ownership over all our airports... China's entry will bring about much needed major shakeup locally owned and operated carriers.

The Tribune