Piper PA-31-350 accident near South Bimini, Outside the U.S., April 17, 2021
On April 17, 2021 at about 1:42 am local time, a 1976 Piper PA-31-350, registered N827RD, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near South Bimini, Outside the U.S. (South Bimini Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. 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
- April 17, 2021 · about 1:42 am local time
- Place
- South Bimini, Bahamas · South Bimini Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Piper PA-31-350, built 1976 · all PA-31-350s on the register
- Registration
- N827RD · registry record · serial 31-7652094
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,113 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 28, 2020; 33.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 7,000 lb
- Seats: 8
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Departed from: MYBS South Bimini OF at 1:40 am
- Destination: OPF Miami FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 10, 5,391 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: night
- Wind: from 220° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 29.89 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from KFLL, 53 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KFLL 170153Z 22007KT 10SM BKN200 27/19 A2989 RMK AO2 SLP119 T02670194
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 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.
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.