Nassau, New Providence -  Bahamas Civil Aviation Department Statement with Respect to Aircraft C6-rev Accident:

The Air Traffic Control Unit of the Department of Civil Aviation has reported that a Piper Navajo4 Chieftan PA 31-350 aircraft, Registration C6-REV, with eleven souls on board, was ditched by the aircraft's pilot at approximately 9:37 a.m. today off the south-western side of New Providence.

The crash resulted in one fatality.

The plane was enroute from Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, to Lynden Pindling International Airport, and was flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR).

The Air Traffic Control Unit advises that the Pilot reported having mechanical difficulties, prior to the aircraft’s ditching.

Reports are that staff from Stuart Cove’s Dive Bahamas were the first to arrive on the crash site, after which they initiated rescue operations.

There were four Bahamians on board the aircraft and seven Americans. The deceased passenger is an American citizen. The accident survivors have all been taken to hospital for medical attention.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Prevention Unit is on-site conducting investigations.

The Department of Civil Aviation will provide additional details as they become available.

  Plane Carrying 11 Crashes in Bahamas; One man dead