Description

On 22 October 2009, a Britten-Nornan BN2A Islander (PJ-SUN)being operated by Divi Divi Airlines on a scheduled passenger service from Curaçao to Bonaire in day Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) experienced a failure of the right engine as it reached cruise altitude. The Pilot attempted to complete the intended flight but when altitude could not be maintained he was eventually forced to carry out a ditching within a few miles of the destination. Four of the nine passengers received minor injuries but all were able to exit the aircraft before it sank in deep water. Attempts to release the Pilot who was trapped and had been rendered unconscious by the effects of the impact were unsuccessful.

Investigation

An Investigation into the accident was initially commenced by the Directorate of Civil Aviation Netherlands Antilles (DCANA) but on 17 November 2009 the Dutch Safety Board (DSB) received a request from the of the Ministry of Traffic and Transport of the Netherlands Antilles to take over the Investigation and began work immediately. The DSB Investigation sought to established the full circumstances of the accident as well as carry out a review of the emergency services response to it. It was noted that the aircraft was not required to be fitted with either a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) or Flight Data Recorder (FDR), nor had it been so fitted. However recorded radar data showing the progress of the flight was available.