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The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority said the light aircraft encountered difficulties on its short domestic route from Lynden Pindling International Airport near Nassau and crashed into bushes before reaching the runway at San Andros. Nine passengers and the pilot were killed in the accident on North Andros, the Bahamas’ largest island west of the capital. The timing on the country’s independence anniversary added a layer of national sorrow to the loss.
Prime Minister Philip Davis spoke at a media conference and described how the day had shifted from celebration to mourning. “Today is a day of celebration but it has become a day of mourning,” Davis said. He added that once again a chapter in the nation’s story had been marked by tragedy, according to local reports carried by the New York Times and Associated Press.
Davis first reported one survivor from the crash but confirmed several hours later that the individual had died from injuries sustained. Officials have withheld the names, ages and other personal details of those on board the Cessna 402. The confirmation of no survivors came as aviation officials moved quickly to review related operations.
The Ministry of Aviation stated it had temporarily suspended Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate as a precautionary safety measure after the crash. The ministry emphasised that the step should not be treated as an adverse compliance action against the carrier, which operates regular inter-island services. It separately noted that two safety incidents involving Flamingo Air flights had occurred on the same Friday.
Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis told reporters that an earlier Flamingo Air plane had turned back to Nassau after its pilot reported a problem, after which a fire broke out on board once all passengers had disembarked safely. The minister’s briefing was reported by multiple news outlets including the BBC’s partner CBS News. In a statement the airline said it was gathering details of the fatal crash and remained committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities.
The New York Times reported that the crash took place on North Andros, which lies in waters immediately west of Nassau and relies heavily on small aircraft for transport links. Associated Press dispatches placed the death toll at ten with no initial survivors, aligning with the final official update from Prime Minister Davis. Bahamian investigators have not yet disclosed any preliminary findings on the cause of the accident that claimed all lives aboard.
