The private aircraft that crashed in Abaco while attempting to take off from Treasure Cay International Airport on Monday afternoon was reported stolen, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
However, police did not indicate who may have stolen the plane, which is said to be valued at $300,000.
The plane was flown into Abaco by two foreign pilots but crashed as two Bahamian pilots were attempting to fly the aircraft to New Providence.
“Police received a report of a 1984 white and brown Israel 8 seater plane model # 1124A and registration number N790JR stolen from Treasure Cay Airport,” according to the police report.
“Initially, the plane was reported arriving in Treasure Cay, Abaco on Friday 2nd July, 2021 and was scheduled to depart on Monday 5th July 2021, when the airplane was said to be stolen.”
Police said it was later discovered that the plane reported stolen was the aircraft that crashed in bushes on Monday, killing pilots Jason Allen and Levan Paul.
“Further, police along with other agencies are investigating an apparent plane crash in Treasure Cay, Abaco, where two pilots lost their lives. The matter was reported on Monday 5th July 2021, which was later identified as the reported stolen plane.”