Gates Learjet CORP. 35A accident near Freeport, Bs, November 9, 2014
On November 9, 2014 at about 9:52 pm local time, a Gates Learjet CORP. 35A, registered N17UF, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Freeport (Grand Bahama International airport). It was an executive or corporate flight under non-U.S. private rules. 9 people were killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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 November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 9, 2014 · about 9:52 pm local time · cases in 2014
- Place
- Freeport, Bahamas · Grand Bahama International · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 9 people were killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Gates Learjet CORP. 35A
- Registration
- N17UF · no longer on the register · serial 258
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Executive or corporate flight · non-U.S. private rules
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Controlled flight into terrain or object (CFIT) during approach defining event
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Co-pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,020 hours in all
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 18,001 lb
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine 1: Garrett TFE 731 SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
- Engine 2: Garrett TFE 731 SER (turbofan); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: MYNN Nassau at 9:00 pm
- Destination: MYGF Freeport
- Flight plan: IFR
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 2 | |||
| Passengers | 7 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N17UF: not on the register today · the record of its deregistration
- Engine: Garrett TFE 731 SER 694 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Engine: Garrett TFE 731 SER 694 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Grand Bahama International · nearest airport
- Lynden Pindling International · departed from
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/ERA15RA047.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.