NTSB requested assistance, In-flight breakup, Watson's Island, United States, N2969

200507079

Summary

On 21 September 2006 at 2356 Eastern Standard Time, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) notified the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) of an accident involving a foreign registered and operated Grumman G-73T, Turbo Mallard, aircraft, which occurred on 19 December 2005 near Watson's Island, US (see www.ntsb.gov and DCA06MA010). The NTSB requested assistance from the ATSB to obtain information relating to the operation of Turbo Mallard aircraft in Australia.

The ATSB appointed an accredited representative to participate in the investigation into the occurrence, in accordance with clause 5.23 of Annex 13 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. To protect the information supplied by the NTSB to the ATSB and the investigative work undertaken to assist the NTSB, the ATSB initiated an investigation under the Transport Safety Investigation Act 2003.

The ATSB accredited representative coordinated the exchange of airworthiness information from an Australian operator of Mallard aircraft. That operator had modified an aircraft by fitting turbine engines.

The NTSB is responsible for the final investigation report regarding this occurrence.

Occurrence summary

Investigation number 200507079
Occurrence date 19/12/2005
Location Watson's Is. USA
State International
Report release date 20/04/2007
Report status Final
Investigation type Occurrence Investigation
Investigation status Completed
Mode of transport Aviation
Aviation occurrence category Collision with terrain
Occurrence class Other
Highest injury level Fatal

Aircraft details

Manufacturer Grumman American Aviation Corp
Model G-73
Registration N2969
Serial number Nk
Sector Piston
Operation type Air Transport Low Capacity
Departure point Watson's Island, Seaplane Base
Destination Bimini, Bahamas
Damage Destroyed