A small plane carrying 11 passengers went down over water near the Bahamas Tuesday, killing a 77-year-old American, according to local authorities.
The twin-engine Piper PA-31-350 Navajo Chieftain had originated from the isle of Eleuthera, and crashed as it was preparing to touch down at New Providence, according to Superintendent Paul Rolle.
Authorities stated that the pilot reported trouble with the plane, and was trying to fly it close to shallow water, before it lost power and crashed roughly 550 feet offshore.
The plane was operated by Ferguson Air, and was being charter by Bahamas-based Southern Air.
Ten passengers were hospitalized, though their conditions are currently unknown. The identity of the deceased has not been revealed.
Divers from an aquatic sports business were in the vicinity at the time of the crash, and helped rescue the survivors, according to authorities.
Please Remember the Bahamas in your prayers Twitter Friends. Second plane crash within a month. pic.twitter.com/heYAbLdJZz
— Jenile Brown (@jenchosenone) December 2, 2014
Incidentally, American singer, dancer, actress and model Aaliyah was killed in a plane crash in the Bahamas on August 25, 2001. Eight other passengers of the twin-engine Cessna 402B were also killed.
The singer had been filming a music video for “Rock the Boat,” and was eager to return to the U.S. after the production wrapped. The plane was said to be overloaded, and went down shortly after takeoff.
The pilot was unlicensed and had trace levels of cocaine and alcohol in his system.
A Lifetime made-for-TV biopic on the late pop star entitled Aaliyah: Princess Of R&B premiered on November 15, to overwhelmingly negative reviews. Actress Alexandra Shipp reportedly had to delete her Twitter and Instagram apps from her phone during production, due to backlash generated from her portrayal of the late singer.
Here is the trailer for Aaliyah: Princess of R&B:
