Incident Overview

Date: Friday 12 September 1980
Aircraft Type: Douglas DC-3A
Owner/operator: Florida Commuter Airlines
Registration Number: N75KW
Location: 6,5 km SW off West End Settlement – ÿ Bahamas
Phase of Flight: Approach
Status: Destroyed, written off
Casualties: Fatalities: 34 / Occupants: 34
Component Affected: Aircraft’s pitot/static system.Aircraft’s pitot/static system.
Investigating Agency: NTSBNTSB
Category: Accident
N75KW experienced a significant aviation incident involving a DC-3 aircraft during a flight from West Palm Beach. The aircraft rejected takeoff due to airspeed indication issues and a mud dauber’s nest covering its pitot tubes. After successful airspeed indication, the aircraft proceeded to intercept Bahama Route 63V (BR 63V) and course, then descended to 1,400 feet for a VOR approach to Freeport. The aircraft subsequently descended into the sea during low visibility and moderate turbulence with thunderstorms.N75KW experienced a significant aviation incident involving a DC-3 aircraft during a flight from West Palm Beach. The aircraft rejected takeoff due to airspeed indication issues and a mud dauber’s nest covering its pitot tubes. After successful airspeed indication, the aircraft proceeded to intercept Bahama Route 63V (BR 63V) and course, then descended to 1,400 feet for a VOR approach to Freeport. The aircraft subsequently descended into the sea during low visibility and moderate turbulence with thunderstorms.

Description

N75KW initiated takeoff from West Palm Beach at 19:40. The crew rejected the takeoff, reported that they had no airspeed indication and taxied back to the ramp. It appeared that both pitot tubes were covered or partially covered with a mud dauber’s nest. The airspeed indicator then tested ok and the flight took off from runway 09L at 20:35. The crew were cleared to climb to 5,000 feet, to intercept Bahama Route 63V (BR 63V), and to proceed on course. At 20:49:23 Miami center cleared N75KW for the approach to Freeport and to cross the Halbi intersection at 4,000 feet. Around 20:57 Freeport approach control cleared the flight to descend to 1,400 feet for a VOR approach to land on runway 24 at Freeport, which was acknowledged. This was the last radio contact with the flight. The DC-3 descended into the sea in low ceilings, low visibility with moderate turbulence and thunderstorm activity. PROBABLE CAUSE: “Unable to determine the probable cause of this accident from the available evidence. Although the Board has been unable to determine the probable cause with any degree of precision, the following factors may have contributed: 1) Flight into known thunderstorm activities and turbulence; 2) Pre-existing discrepancies in the pitot/static system of the aircraft and their effect on the reliability of the flight instruments; 3) Lack of operational control exercised by the airline’s management.”

Primary Cause

Unclear, but potentially influenced by known thunderstorm activities and turbulence, coupled with potential discrepancies in the aircraft’s pitot/static system affecting flight instrument reliability.Unclear, but potentially influenced by known thunderstorm activities and turbulence, coupled with potential discrepancies in the aircraft’s pitot/static system affecting flight instrument reliability.

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