Freeport - Fort Lauderdale

On November 24, 1979 at 02:08 AM, Freeport - Fort Lauderdale experienced a crash involving Convair CV-440 Metropolitan, operated by Mackey International Airlines, with the event recorded near Freeport West Grand Bahama.

The flight was categorized as charter/taxi (non scheduled revenue flight) and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

46 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 46 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 43, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Freeport-Grand Bahama Airport, while climbing, the crew declared an emergency after a fire erupted in the right main wheel well. The crew was cleared to return for an emergency landing and completed a circuit when the right engine in fire detached and fell away. After touchdown on runway 24, the airplane veered to the right and came to rest in a lagoon. A passenger was seriously injured while 45 other occupants escaped with minor or no injuries. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Aircraft reference details include registration N444JM, MSN 419, year of manufacture 1957.