Piper PA23 accident near North Bimini, Bs, May 25, 2010
On May 25, 2010 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Piper PA23, registered N1526T, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near North Bimini (South Bimini Intl. Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 25, 2010 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- North Bimini, Bahamas · South Bimini Intl. Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA23 250 · all PA23s on the register
- Registration
- N1526T · no longer on the register · serial 27-4565
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On May 25, 2010, at approximately 1830 eastern daylight time, a twin engine, Piper PA-23-250 airplane, N1526T, collided with power lines and crashed into the sea while flying at a low altitude shortly after takeoff from South Bimini Airport, South Bimini, Bahamas. The pilot and one passenger were killed and 2 persons on the ground received serious injuries. The airplane received substantial damage. Eyewitness stated "the aircraft took off from South Bimini International Airport on runway 09 and made a left turn towards North Bimini. Eyewitnesses also stated that the aircraft was flying approximately 20 feet above the water when it made contact with two sets of power and phone lines, severing the wings and spraying fuel on tree tops along its path, before crashing into the sea leaving nothing visible on the surface except small pieces of debris. Witnesses stated a fireball erupted after initial impact with the power lines and trees. A second fireball and explosion was created after the second impact with trees. Two persons on the beach were in the path of the crash and received serious injuries from burns about the body. The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Bahamian Government. Further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from: Manager of Flight Standards, Bahamas P.O. Box AP 59244 Nassau, N.P. Bahamas Phone: (242) 377-3445/3448 Facsimile: (242) 377-6060 This report is for information purposes only, and contains only information released by or obtained for the Bahamian Government.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 1
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Seats: 6
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming TIO540 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYBS South Bimini at 10:29 pm
- Destination: MYNN New Providence
- Flight plan: not recorded
- Runway 09, 5,430 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 280° at 20 knots
- Sky: not recorded; not recorded
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 10:00 pm from MET, 109 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.