Story perspectives

NTSB Investigates Fatal Piper Crash Off Andros Island

9/9/2026

Summary

Bahamas Authorities Recover

Bahamas authorities recovered four Miami family members' bodies from a PA-34 Piper crash off Andros Island.
The 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar Sr. left Great Harbour Cay at 11:12 a.m. Monday for Miami.
Air traffic control lost contact at 11:04 a.m., about 13 miles west of Andros Island.
Royal Bahamas Defense Force requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance at 2 p.m. Monday.
Bahamas Accident Authority is investigating with the U.S. NTSB and FAA.

Summary

Widow Sues

A widow filed a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging pilot error, inadequate training, and an aging aircraft.
The suit names Amazon, 21 Air, the aircraft lessor, and the pilots as defendants.
The FAA noted Miami International lacks an Engineered Materials Arresting System despite runway-safety-area compliance.
Miami-Dade homicide bureau opened a criminal investigation into the five ground fatalities.
NTSB investigators will examine the plane’s maintenance history, foreign ownership, and lack of thrust-reverser use.

History

Historical Context

After the FAA approved the mid-1990s ESCO EMAS design, Chicago O’Hare installed the nation’s first EMAS in 1999 following a fatal runway-overrun. By May 2017 the FAA had recorded twelve EMAS arrests involving 284 occupants, demonstrating safety benefits. Miami International still lacks such a system, prompting regulators to consider broader mandates.

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Bahamas Authorities Recover

Bahamas authorities recovered four Miami family members' bodies from a PA-34 Piper crash off Andros Island.
The 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar Sr. left Great Harbour Cay at 11:12 a.m. Monday for Miami.
Air traffic control lost contact at 11:04 a.m., about 13 miles west of Andros Island.
Royal Bahamas Defense Force requested U.S. Coast Guard assistance at 2 p.m. Monday.
Bahamas Accident Authority is investigating with the U.S. NTSB and FAA.

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