On December 22, 1996, about 0750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-23-250, N48PB, registered to N48PB, Inc., operated by Taino Air Services Ltd., experienced collapse of the main landing gear at the Walker Cay Airport, Walker Cay, Bahamas. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and a VFR flight plan was filed for the Bahamian scheduled domestic passenger flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the commercial-rated pilot and 2 passengers were not injured. The flight originated about 0730 from the Freeport International Airport, Freeport, Bahamas.

The pilot stated to the Chief Pilot that while on final approach, the flight encountered windshear. He applied partial power then full power to arrest the rate of descent but the airplane landed hard on the runway collapsing the main landing gears.

The investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Government of the Bahamas. Any further information pertaining to this accident may be obtained from:

Director of Civil Aviation, Bahamas P.O. Box N-975 Nassau, N.P. Bahamas Phone: (809) 377-7117

This report is for information purposes only and contains only information obtained for or released by the Bahamian Government.