BAHAMAS-Bodies recovered from ill-fated flight.

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC – The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) says it is working with the United States National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other national and international stakeholders, after confirming that all four occupants of the five-seater Piper PA-34 aircraft had died after the plane crashed in waters off Andros in The Bahamas on Monday.

The AAIA said that the remains of all four occupants have since been recovered, as it extended “its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragic loss”.

The names of those on the ill-fated flight have been given as Mario Lamar, 80, his wife Lili Lamar, and two of their grandchildren, Christian and Sofi Sosa. Their nationalities were not disclosed.

“We are now in communication and working with the US Coast Guard to bring our loved ones home safely and with dignity. We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported us, searched alongside us, and kept our family in their prayers.

“We respectfully ask for privacy as we mourn this unimaginable loss,” said Silvia Larrieu, the niece of Mario and Lili, in a brief statement.

According to the AAIA, the plane with registration number N212ML lost radar contact with Miami Center air traffic control just before 11.00 am (local time) while en route from Great Harbor Cay Airport to Miami Executive Airport.

It said the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the United States Coast Guard had initiated initial search and rescue operations.

It said that the search continued into Tuesday, “where sadly all four occupants of the aircraft were found deceased,” adding that “as of the issuance of this release, neither the aircraft nor any associated wreckage or debris have been located.

“At this early stage, no determination has been made regarding the cause or contributing factors. All information contained in this release is preliminary and subject to change as additional evidence is obtained, verified and analyzed”.

The AAIA said the sole objective of its safety investigation is to prevent future accidents and incidents.

“It is not conducted for the purpose of apportioning blame or determining civil or criminal liability,” it added.