Bahamas Civil Aviation Department Release on the Fatal Plane Crash off Bimini.

(Press Release) - On Sunday January 17, 2010 at approximately 2140 UTC (4:40 p.m. EST) the Bahamas Civil Aviation Department/ Air Traffic Services was notified of a Piper PA32-300 Cherokee Six aircraft, Registration N4219R, Serial Number 32-40584 ditched two miles off Bimini, search and rescue procedures were immediately initiated.  The Flight Standards Inspectorate was notified 5:30 p.m. EST and has mobilized a team to travel to Bimini at 4:00 p.m. today to commence an in-depth investigation into the accident.  Their preliminary investigation has revealed that:

The Accident resulted in the deaths of three souls on board (SOB) (the male pilot and two male passengers).

The pilot-in-command conducted the flight under the privileges of his private pilot license.

N4219R- a Cherokee Six, single engine, fixed wing, fixed gear aircraft which was powered by a Lycoming T10540 reciprocating engine.

The aircraft held a standard Certificate of Airworthiness issued 06/04/1998 by the United States Department of Transport (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The filed flight plan of record listed N4219R flight originating from Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) Nassau, N.P., Bahamas direct to Fort Lauderdale Executive International Airport (KFXE), Fort Lauderdale, FL under visual flight rules (VFR).  The flight plan called for a 3:30 p.m. EST departure and a flight altitude of 4,500 feet.

The meteorology department reported for the north-west Bahamas, for 6,000 feet- Winds 33 knots at 240 degrees, with a pressure of 14 degrees centigrade.

In accordance with the Bahamas Civil Aviation (Safety) Regulations and the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 13 the State of Registry, the state of the Operator, the manufacturers of the aircraft, engine and propeller have all been notified and invited to participate in the investigation.