Police said David Hinds, 24, of Caravel Beach, was flying to Grand Bahama from Ft. Lauderdale on a twin engine Cessna when the plane’s left main landing gear collapsed as he approached the runway.
Police said it caused the aircraft to skid almost one thousand feet down the runway into bushes.
The pilot and his passengers scrambled out of the plane to safety, just minutes before the underbelly of the aircraft ignited, damaging the fuselage, according to police, who said rescue crews were able to put out the fire, and treated the men at the scene.
Mr. Hinds, who received a cut on his hand, also complained of a pain in his left side, but reportedly declined further medical treatment.
However, the other passengers, Chris Mackey, 35, of Yorkshire Drive, South Bahamia; Peter Pratt, 49, of Hawaii Avenue, and Jarret Major, 19, of Ringwood Drive, escaped unharmed, according to police.
Some landing lights alongside the runway were also reportedly damaged during the crash landing. The Department of Civil Aviation is investigating this accident.
By: Courtnee Romer, The Bahama Journal
