Flamingo Air grounded after Bahamas plane crash kills all 10 on board
The government suspended Flamingo Air after a fatal crash in North Andros and a separate fire incident. Investigations are underway.
The government of the Bahamas has grounded all operations of Flamingo Air following a fatal plane crash on Friday, 10 July 2026. The aviation disaster, which occurred near North Andros, resulted in the death of all 10 individuals on board, marking a sombre turn during what was intended to be a national celebration of the country's 53rd Independence Day.
The aircraft, a Cessna 402 registered in the Bahamas, had departed from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was en route to San Andros when it encountered difficulties. According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority of the Bahamas, the plane crashed into bushes after experiencing issues during its transit. Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles confirmed that the flight manifest included nine passengers and one pilot.
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Search and rescue personnel initially located one individual showing signs of life at the crash site. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis provided updates on the status of the passengers throughout the day, initially reporting a survivor before later confirming that the individual had succumbed to injuries.
The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation has temporarily suspended the airline's Air Operator Certificate. The decision to ground the fleet serves as a precautionary measure while an investigation is conducted into the causes of the disaster. Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis noted that the suspension followed not only the fatal crash, but a second safety incident involving the same carrier on the same day. In that separate event, a Flamingo Air aircraft bound for Mayaguana was forced to return to Nassau following a report of technical concerns by the pilot. Upon landing and after passengers had disembarked, that aircraft caught fire, though no injuries were sustained.
The Bahamian government is now tasked with determining whether mechanical failure, weather conditions, or other factors played a role in the North Andros tragedy. Prime Minister Davis addressed the nation on the day of the crash, reflecting on the collective grief of the country.
"We gather beneath a cloud of great sorrow. It has become a day of mourning."
Prime Minister Davis also spoke to the difficulty facing the victims' families, stating:
"Praying for the families who are now facing unbearable grief. We are also praying for the survivor, whose recovery and care will remain in our thoughts."
The identities of the 10 victims have not yet been released, as police continue the process of notifying next of kin. Commissioner Knowles indicated that investigators have been dispatched to Andros Island to gather evidence from the scene, while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority of the Bahamas manages the formal inquiry.
Safety and Operational Context
- Route: Lynden Pindling International Airport (Nassau) to San Andros.
- Aircraft Type: Cessna 402.
- Total Fatalities: 10 (nine passengers, one pilot).
- Regulatory Action: Temporary suspension of Flamingo Air's Air Operator Certificate.
- Investigation Status: Ongoing, led by the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.
The Bahamas, located in the western Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean Sea, comprises more than 700 islands and over 2,400 cays. The reliance on small aircraft for transit between these islands remains a primary means of transportation. Authorities have confirmed that investigations into both the crash in North Andros and the fire at the airport in Nassau are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding these incidents.
