Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Treasure Cay, Bs, March 25, 2012
On March 25, 2012 at about 5:30 pm local time, a Piper PA-32R-300, registered N8415C, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Treasure Cay (Treasure Cay Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 4 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
- March 25, 2012 · about 5:30 pm local time
- Place
- Treasure Cay, Bahamas · Treasure Cay Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 4 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-32R-300 · all PA-32R-300s on the register
- Registration
- N8415C · no longer on the register · serial 32R-7680112
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On March 25, 2012, at 1830 UTC, a Piper PA-32R-300, N8415C, was substantially damaged when it crashed shortly after takeoff from Treasure Cay International Airport (MYAT), Abaco, Bahamas. The two certificated private pilots and two passengers were fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and a visual flight rules (VFR) international flight plan was filed for the personal flight destined for St. Lucie County International Airport (KFPR), Fort Pierce, Florida. According to preliminary information from the Bahamas Civil Aviation Department, the airplane impacted trees after departing downwind from runway 32. The wind at MYAT at the time of the accident was from 220 degrees at 15 knots. This investigation is being conducted by the Bahamas Civil Aviation Department, Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit. This report is for information purposes only and contains only information released by the government of the Bahamas. All inquires should be directed to the Air Accident Investigation and Prevention Unit at: PO BOX AP-59244 Nassau, Bahamas Telephone: (242) 377-3445
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
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during initial climb defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 250 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: fatal
Crew member
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 200 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded
- Maximum gross weight: 3,600 lb
- Seats: 7
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540 SER (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: MYAT Treasure Cay
- Destination: KFPR Ft. Pierce FL
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 32, 7,001 ft by 150 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 6:01 pm from MYAT
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.