Pilot survives small plane crash in Bahamas

NASSAU, Bahamas -- A U.S. pilot was rescued after his small plane crashed near the Bahamas on Thursday, just days after a similar accident killed three people, authorities said.

The pilot, who has not been identified, was found in a life raft by locals after he called the U.S. Coast Guard on a satellite phone, said Christopher Lloyd, director of the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association.

"The pilot was in a raft and near land, and so he was recovered fairly quickly," Lloyd said. "He was shaken, but OK."

The pilot was en route to the Bahamian capital of Nassau from Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands when his Aztec Piper 23-250 crashed, Lloyd said. He was the only person aboard.

Bahamas Civil Aviation Inspector Walter Evans said officials are investigating what caused the crash.

On Sunday, a Piper Cherokee Six aircraft crashed about two miles off Bimini, killing all three people aboard. The plane had taken off from New Providence island and was heading to Executive Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.