The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CIVIL aviation investigators will centre their probe into Tuesday’s plane crash in the sea near Clifton Pier on an account of events provided by the pilot, Rufus Ferguson.

The captain’s report of events leading to his much lauded landing of the Piper Navajo Chieftain PA aircraft will inform most of the investigators’ conclusions about the accident as recovering the plane and its crucial elements - such as its black box - from the depths will be difficult.

Capt Ferguson spent much of yesterday attempting to juggle periods of rest with providing statements to police in connection with the incident, The Tribune understands.

He is expected to meet civil aviation authorities this morning and will be required to file several reports following the incident.

The captain, a 25-year veteran in the industry, had formed Ferguson Air in 1997 to “serve a growing market for non-jet, personal air travel throughout the Bahamas,” according to his airline’s website.

Tuesday’s plane crash took place around 8.20am about 550 feet off the southern tip of Clifton Pier. Eleven people, including four Bahamians and seven Americans, were on board.

A 77-year-old American man - who has yet to be named - was the sole fatality in the accident.

Had it not been for Capt Ferguson’s effort to land the plane in shallow waters in order to save the lives of the passengers on board, the accident, officials say, could have been one of the country’s worst aviation disasters.

The Department of Civil Aviation said on Tuesday that the pilot reported having mechanical difficulties while flying. When he realised he could not make it to the airport, he landed the aircraft in shallow water. Divers from the police force, the defence force and Stuart Cove’s assisted in rescuing those on board.