Cessna N93261

On August 4, 1986, a twin engine inter-island charter Dehaviland “Twin Otter” boarded its 11 passengers at the island of St. Lucia. Included were Hudson Tannis, the former foreign minister of St. Vincent and now the Main Opposition Leader. Two of the other passengers were Elister Ollivierre and Rufus Nelson, both headed toward St. Vincent to catch an international flight back to the States.

         The trip to St. Vincent is incredibly short. In fact, it is visible from
           St. Lucia. The ferry took off and was soon buzzing St.
           Vincent. At this moment St. Vincent was majestic. Broken
               rain clouds swirled around its peak. The pilot came in for
               the usual approach to Arnos Vale Airport but a cloud
               burst made him abort and try again.

           He pulled out and then came around again. The field was still
         being pelted with rain, so this time he pulled out earlier and hung
           back and did a large circle before coming around. It seemed
           better to wait a bit instead of heading back to St. Lucia. Besides he
           was used to these sudden tropical downpours.

   A short while later he came back in. The rain was simply too heavy. He pulled out of approach and zoomed back out over the ocean, getting clear of the downpour.

     The plane was last seen heading out to sea in the direction of Bequia, a nearby island, as he was making a broad circle to come around the island and try again.

     The Twin Otter was never seen again. There was no Mayday.