Nassau - Freeport

On July 20, 2000, about 1312 eastern daylight time, a Douglas DC-3, N54AA, registered to Allied Air Freight, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 cargo charter flight, crashed after takeoff from Nassau International Airport, New Providence Island, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by post crash fire and the ATP-rated pilot and commercially-rated copilot were fatally injured. The flight originated about 6 minutes before the accident. According to initial reports, after takeoff from runway 14, the pilot advised the tower that he would have to shut down the right engine and return for an emergency landing on runway 14. The airplane was observed to lose altitude and crash about 2 miles from the airport, east of the extended centerline of runway 14.
Nassau - Freeport — crash photo

Flight / Schedule

Nassau - Freeport

Registration

N54AA

MSN

12475

Year of Manufacture

1944

Date

July 20, 2000 at 01:12 PM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Nassau New Providence

Region

Central America • Bahamas

Coordinates

25.0764°, -77.3434°

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On July 20, 2000 at 01:12 PM, Nassau - Freeport experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Allied Air Freight, with the event recorded near Nassau New Providence.

The flight was categorized as cargo and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

2 people were known to be on board, 2 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 100.0%.

Crew on board: 2, crew fatalities: 2, passengers on board: 0, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On July 20, 2000, about 1312 eastern daylight time, a Douglas DC-3, N54AA, registered to Allied Air Freight, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 cargo charter flight, crashed after takeoff from Nassau International Airport, New Providence Island, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by post crash fire and the ATP-rated pilot and commercially-rated copilot were fatally injured. The flight originated about 6 minutes before the accident. According to initial reports, after takeoff from runway 14, the pilot advised the tower that he would have to shut down the right engine and return for an emergency landing on runway 14. The airplane was observed to lose altitude and crash about 2 miles from the airport, east of the extended centerline of runway 14.

Aircraft reference details include registration N54AA, MSN 12475, year of manufacture 1944.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 25.0764°, -77.3434°.

Fatalities

Total

2

Crew

2

Passengers

0

Other

0

Crash Summary

On July 20, 2000, about 1312 eastern daylight time, a Douglas DC-3, N54AA, registered to Allied Air Freight, Inc., operating as a Title 14 CFR Part 135 cargo charter flight, crashed after takeoff from Nassau International Airport, New Providence Island, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a VFR flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed by post crash fire and the ATP-rated pilot and commercially-rated copilot were fatally injured. The flight originated about 6 minutes before the accident. According to initial reports, after takeoff from runway 14, the pilot advised the tower that he would have to shut down the right engine and return for an emergency landing on runway 14. The airplane was observed to lose altitude and crash about 2 miles from the airport, east of the extended centerline of runway 14.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

2

Passengers On Board

0

Estimated Survivors

0

Fatality Rate

100.0%

Known people on board: 2

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Nassau - Freeport

Flight Type

Cargo

Flight Phase

Takeoff (climb)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Central America • Bahamas

Aircraft Details

Registration

N54AA

MSN

12475

Year of Manufacture

1944

Similar Plane Crashes

August 31, 1928 at 12:00 AM

Frederick Edward Guest

De Havilland DH.60 Moth

Shortly after takeoff from the Freeport harbor, the aircraft stalled and crashed in the sea. Both occupants were injured.

May 28, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed in unknown circumstances near Vichy while on a delivery flight. No casualties.

May 30, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crashed into the Antillean Sea, off Jamaica, in unknown circumstances. Crew fate remains unknown.

August 23, 1942 at 12:00 AM12 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The crew was performing a personnel transport from Prestwick to RAF Atcham on behalf of the 64th Transport Group. While flying northeast of Denbigh, the pilot encountered cloudy conditions and the visibility was poor. While flying too low, the aircraft hit the north slope of Mt Moel y Gaer located near Bodfari and was destroyed upon impact. A passenger was seriously injured while all 12 other occupants were killed. Crew (64th TG): 1st Lt Charles Edward Williams, pilot, 1st Lt Richard Pazder, navigator, 2nd Lt Theodore F. Furness Jr., 2nd Lt Morris B. Penner. Passengers: Pvt Harry R. Adams, T/Sgt Jonathan B. Akers, T/Sgt Robert E. Anderson, T/Sgt Isreal Gross, T/Sgt Herman A. Hermes, T/Sgt Raymond S. Nash, T/Sgt Jesse L. Patterson, T/Sgt George A. Lesikar.

August 23, 1942 at 12:00 AM

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Crash on landing in unknown circumstances. No casualties.

September 19, 1942 at 12:00 AM7 Fatalities

United States Army Air Forces - USAAF

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

En route, the aircraft hit the slope of Blue Mountain located west of Blairstown, in the Kittatinny Mountain Range. The wreckage was located 100 feet from the summit, at an altitude of 1,500 feet, and all seven crew members were killed.