Sunday, November 09, 2014

Gates Learjet 35A, N17UF, Diplomat Aviation Bahamas Ltd: Fatal accident occurred November 09, 2014 at Grand Bahamas International Airport (MYGF), Freeport

NTSB Identification: ERA15RA047 
 14 CFR Non-U.S., Non-Commercial
Accident occurred Sunday, November 09, 2014 in Freeport, Bahamas
Aircraft: GATES LEARJET CORP. 35A, registration: N17UF
Injuries: 9 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. The foreign authority was the source of this information.

On November 9, 2014, about 1652 eastern standard time, a Gates Learjet Corp 35A, N17UF, registered to Diplomat Aviation (Bahamas) Ltd., was destroyed when it impacted a crane and terrain during approach to Grand Bahama International Airport (MYGF), Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas. The airline transport pilot, copilot, and seven passengers were fatally injured. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN), Nassau, Bahamas, about 1600 and was operating under Bahamian flight regulations at the time of the accident.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:

Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Unit
Bahamas Department of Civil Aviation
P.O. Box AP-59244
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
1 (242) 376-1617
1 (242) 377-6060 FAX
Email: aaipu.bcaa@gmail.com
website: www.aaipu-bcaa.com

This report is for informational purposes, and only contains information released by the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.


  
NASSAU, Bahamas -- The public is advised that the Department of Civil Aviation is now in possession of a Preliminary Report on the Freeport, Grand Bahama aircraft crash which took the lives of nine persons, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 9th, 2014.  The narrative of that report is now being released by that Department. The report was prepared by the Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit (AAIPU) of the Department on November 20th, 2014, and it contains specifics on the aircraft and crew, and on the weather conditions and flight details.
 
According to the AAIPU report, both pilots Captain Stanley Thurston, and First Officer Frahkan Cooper were licensed and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, and were in possession of valid first class medical certificates, which were issued in November, 2014.  Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed upon the departure of the aircraft from Odyssey Aviation, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the 24 minute flight to Freeport. The Preliminary Report has also confirmed that The Bahamas Area Forecast published on November 9th, 2014 by The Bahamas Meteorological Department advised that there was a frontal boundary over the northwest Bahamas and lower, moving over the northern Bahamas. 

Details provided in the Preliminary Report indicate that the aircraft uploaded 160 gallons of fuel prior to its departure from Odyssey Aviation, was provided with the current weather conditions upon contact with Freeport Air Traffic Control, and was cleared for an instrument approach.  However, the aircraft was unable to land in Freeport on its first attempt, due to heavy rain showers and reduced visibility, and the crew therefore executed a missed approach. It was during the return for the second approach, while attempting to visually locate the runway, and following deteriorating weather due to rain and haze, that the aircraft struck a crane in the Grand Bahama shipyard and crashed. 

The AAIPU is being assisted in its investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB) the Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA) and Bombardier, the manufacturer of the aircraft.  The team will re-assemble at the NTSB Headquarters in Washington in December, 2014 to continue its investigations.       
  
Click HERE to read the report (PDF).

A PRELIMINARY report into the plane crash that killed nine people in Grand Bahama on November 9 attributed the main cause of the tragedy to deteriorating weather conditions that reduced visibility resulting in a missed landing on the aircraft’s second approach to the airport.

The report was released yesterday.

In its findings, the Department of Civil Aviation’s Air Accident Investigation & Prevention Unit (AAIPU) explained that on the day of the crash, Meteorological Department officials released a weather report indicating that there was a frontal boundary over the northwest Bahamas.

Additionally, the weather report said there was the possibility of heavy showers and moderate to severe turbulence in the aircraft’s flying vicinity. It listed the daytime visibility at 1.5 at the time of the crash.

“The aircraft was unable to land on first attempt, due to heavy rain showers and reduced visibility,” the report said. “The crew executed a missed approach procedure and continued outbound and entered the published holding pattern at 2,000 feet. Some time after entering the holding pattern, ATC (air traffic control) reported the weather as improving and thus a second. . .approach was requested by the crew and granted by ATC.

“During the return for the second instrument approach, ATC reported the weather as again deteriorating due to rain and haze. While attempting to find the runway visually during the second approach, the aircraft descended and subsequently struck a towering crane at the Grand Bahama Shipyard.”

The report said the plane hit two support beams above the crane operator’s cab, approximately 115 feet mean sea level.

After losing the outboard portion of its right wing and fuel tank, the aircraft continued its “downward, uncontrolled descent, crashing inverted into a mound of garbage at the City Services Limited, (a garbage and metal recycling plant) which is located adjacent to the Grand Bahama Shipyard,” the report said.

The aircraft stopped after colliding with a metal generator-housing unit located at the recycling plant, the investigators said.

Pilot, Captain Stanley Thurston and co-pilot, First Officer Frahkan Cooper were licensed and certified by the Federal Aviation Administration to operate the ill-fated eight-seater Learjet 36, AAIPU officials said.

Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFMI) Senior Pastor Dr Myles Munroe, 60, his wife Ruth, BFMI Vice-president Dr Richard Pinder, newly ordained youth pastors Lavard “Manifest” Parks, his pregnant wife Radel, and their five-year-old son Johanan died when the jet hit a crane at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. American citizen Diego DeSantiago was also on board the flight.

They all died immediately on impact.

"(Both pilots) were in possession of valid first class medical certificates, which were issued in November, 2014,” the report said.

“Day instrument meteorological conditions prevailed upon the departure of the aircraft from Odyssey Aviation, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed for the 24 minute flight to Freeport. The preliminary report has also confirmed that the Bahamas Area Forecast published on November 9, 2014 by the Bahamas Meteorological Department advised that there was a frontal boundary over the northwest Bahamas and lower, moving over the northern Bahamas.

“The aircraft uploaded 160 gallons of fuel prior to its departure, was provided with the current weather conditions upon contact with Freeport Air Traffic Control, and was cleared for an instrument approach.”

Investigators found that there was never a fire or explosion on board the Learjet as was previously speculated.

The aircraft was equipped with a Fairchild Model GA100 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and 2 Honeywell International N1 Digital Electronic Engine Control monitors which were recovered and sent to the National Transportation Safety Board in Washington, DC and Honeywell International in Wichita, Kansas respectively, for readout.

Bahamian civil aviation officials with the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Bombardier – the manufacturer of the aircraft – will reassemble in Washington, DC, next month, to continue investigations.

According to initial reports from the Department of Civil Aviation, the plane left Nassau shortly after 4pm and crashed around 5.10pm in Grand Bahama.

Dr Munroe was an internationally acclaimed author, motivational speaker and consultant who ministered around the world.

The group was flying into Grand Bahama from New Providence for an annual leadership conference organised by Dr Munroe.

A memorial for Dr Munroe and his wife will be held on December 3 beginning 6pm at the national stadium. Their funeral is scheduled for the next day at BFMI on Carmichael Road.

Story and Comments:  http://www.tribune242.com


Photo: ADDRESSING THE MEDIA – Transport and Aviation Minister, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin, addressed the media Monday, on the tragic plane crash that killed all passengers Sunday in Freeport. Shown behind the Minister are Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ivan L. Cleare and Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lorraine Armbrister. 

 FREEPORT, Grand Bahama - The investigation into the tragic plane crash that killed ten passengers on Sunday in Grand Bahama will be an effort between Civil Aviation inspectors, the plane’s manufacturers, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said Transportation and Aviation Minister, the Hon. Glenys Hanna-Martin during a press briefing on Monday. 

 Among those killed in the deadly crash were world renowned religious leader, Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife Ruth, along with other passengers who were flying to Grand Bahama from Nassau on a private jet for the Global Leadership Forum. Dr. Munroe was to be the forum’s host.

Minister Hanna-Martin said there are currently three inspectors from Flight Standards at the crash site at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, who are documenting the scene, while members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are working to preserve the scene for further inspection by Bombardier, manufacturer of the aircraft, along with members of NTSB, who will arrive on Tuesday.

This effort, said the Minister, will conduct an investigation of the cockpit voice recorder to see what information can be gained from it. “It’s really an investigation and we want to discourage people from speculating – there’s lots of that and it’s not helpful. The inspectors are on the ground. It’s going to help us understand exactly what it was that happened that led to this terrible incident.”

The investigation will begin in full force on Tuesday, said the Minister, when it is hoped more information will be gathered. “A key, or a critical piece of information will be the cockpit voice recorder or whether there is a data voice recorder. We are not sure of that yet. But, that will greatly assist in understanding what happened here.”

Also present during the briefing were the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lorraine Armbrister and the Director of Civil Aviation, Mr. Ivan L. Cleare.

The Minister says that many people fly in planes, and whenever there is a crash, and when people die, it is a setback. “In this case, there were some really outstanding contributors to our country and internationally. There was also a child onboard, and so it had the array of things that make it very difficult event for all of us. The Bahamas is a small place and everybody feels in a very deep way.”

Minister Hanna-Martin had high praise for the efforts of the Royal Bahamas Police Force who worked through the night in stormy weather at a difficult scene. “I’d like to give them credit for all they have done.”


Any witnesses should email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov.
 
FAA Flight Standards District Office: FAA Miami FSDO-19

http://registry.faa.gov/N17UF 

AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 9 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE FATALLY INJURED, WRECKAGE LOCATED 4 MILES FROM GRAND BAHAMA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, FREEPORT, BAHAMAS


 
The Bahamians killed in the crash with Dr. Myles Munroe and his wife Ruth in Grand Bahama. From left, co-pilot Franhkan Cooper (top), pilot Stanley Thurston (bottom), Dr.  Richard Pinder, Lavard and Radel Parks and their son Johanan, five. The identity of the ninth victim of the crash, a visitor from Africa, has not yet been released.


Prime Minister Perry Christie and Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday visited the crash site at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, where the Lear 36 jet went down on Sunday killing Dr Myles Munroe, the president and founder of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, and eight others on board.

Mr. Christie told reporters that the government needs to ensure the investigation into the accident moves quickly and to make policy changes if needed.

Ms. Hanna Martin said representatives from the US National Transportation Safety Board Transportation Board (NTSB) and from Bombardier, the manufacturers of the aircraft, are due to arrive in Freeport today for the start of a full-scale investigation into the crash.

The search for the cockpit voice recorder, she said, is crucial in determining what led to the “terrible incident.”

A team from the Flight Standards Inspectorate began its preliminary work at the crash site yesterday, gathering information, documenting the scene, and taking photographs.

Because the jet was a US-registered aircraft, Ms Hanna Martin said it was necessary for the NTSB to be involved in the investigation.

“The investigations will be a coordinated effort between that Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, the US NTSB, and the manufacturers, and they will begin to move forward in locating the cockpit voice recorder to see what information that it gives.

“So right now it is really an investigation and we want to discourage people from speculating because it’s lots of that (happening), and it is not helpful. The inspectors are on the ground and it will be a combined cross-sectoral effort that will review the circumstances and help us understand exactly what it was that happened and led to this terrible incident.

“A key and critical piece of information will be the cockpit voice recorder, and whether there was a data voice recorder, but we are not sure of that yet, but that will greatly assist in understanding what happened here,” she added.

Bad weather

On Sunday, Grand Bahama experienced severe weather conditions of heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms.

Officials said the plane left the Lynden Pindling International Airport around 4pm. Some time around 5.10pm, the plane - on approach to land at the Grand Bahama International Airport - struck a crane and reportedly exploded in mid-air, before crashing in a junk pile at the Grand Bahama Shipyard.

Director of Civil Aviation Ivan Cleare said that the pilots were given the “all clear” by Air Traffic Control to fly to Freeport.

“The weather was good enough for them to fly yesterday,” Mr Cleare said. “Of course, sometimes the weather deteriorates and the pilots would have to make a decision.

“But they were given an update on the weather as they would have come in, and it would have been up to the pilots to accept an approach or decline the approach,” he explained.

Mr. Christie spoke to reporters around 1pm after visiting the crash site. He said that Dr Munroe’s death has had a “profound impact” on the country.

“We must ensure that wherever the answers take us, that if it has policy implications we can effect whatever changes we have to using this as an example of it,” he said of the investigation.

“I wanted to visit the crash site to get a sense of what happened,” he added. “When any horrific accident takes place and there is a loss of life, it is a major occasion in a country as small as the Bahamas. When it happens for someone who is an iconic leader, then it becomes a more profoundly impactful experience for the country.”

“I ask myself why would God take the life of someone who was one of his angels, one his disciples, one of his apostles,” he said, referring to Dr Munroe.

Mr. Christie told the leaders of Bahamas Faith Ministries International (BFM) that life must go on and that they must put in practice the teachings of Dr Munroe.

“We are going to have to find the right way to celebrate the life of Dr Myles Munroe. He has made an extraordinary and defining contribution to the Bahamas, and worldwide.”

Dr. Munroe and his wife Ruth, both 60, were on their way to Freeport for the Global Leadership Summit. Also travelling with them were BFMI’s senior vice president Dr Richard Pinder, 59, and youth pastors Lavard Parks, and his wife, Rudel Parks, and their young son, Johannan.

Piloting was Capt Stanley Thurston, 62, with co-pilot Franhkan Cooper, 34. Another passenger, believed to be a visitor, who has not been identified was also on the plane.

Despite the tragedy, the conference went onto as scheduled yesterday morning at the Grand Lucayan Resort. It was a sombre moment for those attending and conference officials as they sang songs of praise and reflected on the life of Dr Munroe.

Banners with photographs of the world renowned spiritual leader hang prominently in the lobby of the convention centre.

Ambassador Andrew Young, an American politician, and a close friend of Dr Munroe, spoke to the gathering. He said that he was blessed to have known Dr Munroe and spend time with him. He told the BFM family that the presence of Dr Munroe will always be with them in spirit.

Leo Douglas, a member of BFM in Freeport, who communicated with Dr Munroe minutes before the crash, was devastated by the news.

“I got a text from him (Dr Munroe) saying that they were about to land, and I said I would meet him at the hotel,” he recalled.

A special prayer service was held at the BFM headquarters in New Providence last night. 


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The passengers and pilots preparing to board the ill-fated flight. 

The leader of Bahamas Faith Ministries, Dr Myles Munroe, and his wife Ruth have been killed in a plane crash in Grand Bahama.

The crash took place this afternoon and killed all nine people on board the private jet. The plane reportedly struck a crane at the Grand Bahama Ship Yard, exploding on impact and crashing into the ground near a junkyard area.

The Department of Civil Aviation reported that the plane was a Gates Learjet 35A which departed the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) for the Grand Bahama International Airport.

The plane left LPIA at 4.07pm with nine people on board and crashed while making an approach for landing at Grand Bahama International Airport at 5.10pm, the Department of Civil Aviation said.

A police on source on the island previously said two were feared dead. However, police sources later confirmed that all those on board had been killed.

The police source also said it was believed the group was heading to a conference hosted by Pastor Munroe.

The identities of the other people on board have not yet been confirmed.

The statement said while the department was advised of fatalities, it was awaiting confirmation from police on if there were any survivors.

The Grand Bahama Airport Company Crash Fire Rescue Department responded to the incident, and the Police and Bahamas Air Sea Rescue (BASRA) are presently on the scene.

The department said a full scale investigation will start tomorrow morning at daylight, which will include the Department of Civil Aviation Aircraft Accident Investigation Prevention Unit.


- Source:  http://www.tribune242.com


Freeport, Grand Bahama — Breaking News coming into Bahamas Press confirms we have a plane crash at the Shipyard site on Grand Bahama island.

We understand the private aircraft were flying passengers inbound onto Grand Bahama for a major religious conference which in opening tonight.

We can confirm the aircraft crashed around 5:10pm.

Unconfirmed reports suggests some 9 persons were onboard.

BP IS LIVE AT THE CRASH SCENE where we can report heavy rains in the Grand Bahama area had caused flights to be diverted.

Sources tell us because of bad weather in the Grand Bahama area flights were diverted; even two scheduled local flights of Bahamasair aborted landing in the second city due to the inclement weather.

Bahamas Press is Live….


BAHAMAS -  Faith Ministries leader Dr Myles Munroe was among nine passengers on board a plane that crashed in Grand Bahama this afternoon, multiples sources have said.

The Department of Civil Aviation reported that the plane which crashed on Grand Bahama was a Gates Learjet 35A which departed the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) for the Grand Bahama International Airport.

The plane left LPIA at 4.07pm with nine people on board and crashed while making an approach for landing at Grand Bahama International Airport at 5.10pm, the Department of Civil Aviation said.

A police on source on the island previously said two were feared dead. However police have not officially confirmed the number of deaths.

The police source also said it was believed the group was heading to a conference hosted by Bahamas Faith Ministries International Pastor Myles Munroe.

The identities of the people on board have not been released.

The statement said while the department was advised of fatalities, it was awaiting confirmation from police on if there were any survivors.

The Grand Bahama Airport Company Crash Fire Rescue Department responded to the incident, and the Police and Bahamas Air Sea Rescue (BASRA) are presently on the scene.

The department said a full scale investigation will start tomorrow morning at daylight, which will include the Department of Civil Aviation Aircraft Accident Investigation Prevention Unit.


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