The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN pilot escaped serious injury on Saturday after his plane crashed, bursting into flames off Coral Harbour Road when attempting to take off from Lynden Pindling International Airport.

Police said the twin- engine Cessna 402 aircraft was heading to Fresh Creek, Andros, from New Providence after 4.30pm. It failed to achieve enough lift after experiencing left engine issues.

Investigators said pre- liminary information revealed the plane hit a fence after failing to take off properly and then crashed into bushes across the road before bursting into flames.

According to police, the pilot, the sole passenger on board, got out of the aircraft before the fire

destroyed the plane.
“He was able to walk

away from the crash. He experienced some chest issues, and he was taken to Doctor’s Hospital,” said Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis, the officer in charge of the airport division.

He said the pilot was coherent but could not speak much about the incident because officers wanted him to see a doctor quickly.

In a statement issued after Saturday’s crash, Blessing Aviation Charter, the company under which the aircraft is registered, said it was grateful there was no loss of life.

“We are grateful to God that due to the quick think- ing of our pilot, he was able to re-route the aircraft to an abandoned area prior to the crash, ultimately avoiding any loss of life. It is truly a blessing to see the fruit of our ongoing, in- house training action,” the company said.

 “Aircraft maintenance and safety is a top priority within our company; there-fore, we will be working closely with the proper authorities to understand the cause of this crash.”

Meanwhile, Kendal Dorsett, Jr, chief investiga-tor at the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority, said the incident did not seriously affect operations at LPIA.

Investigations are continuing.