10 killed in Bahamas plane crash as government grounds Flamingo Air flights
Bahamas Plane Crash: 10 Killed After Flamingo Aircraft Crashes in San Andros; Airliner Grounds All Flights
Key Points(5)
- A small plane crashed in North Andros on Friday, killing all 10 people on board in a tragedy that cast a shadow over the Bahamas' 53rd Independence Day celebrations and prompted the government to temporarily suspend Flamingo Air's operations pending an investigation.
- The aircraft, a Bahamian-registered Cessna 402 operated by Flamingo Air, departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was bound for San Andros when it crashed, according to the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.
- Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis initially said one person had survived the crash.
- However, he later confirmed during a press conference that the survivor had died from their injuries, bringing the death toll to 10.
- The victims have not yet been publicly identified.
A small plane crashed in North Andros on Friday, killing all 10 people on board in a tragedy that cast a shadow over the Bahamas' 53rd Independence Day celebrations and prompted the government to temporarily suspend Flamingo Air's operations pending an investigation.
The aircraft, a Bahamian-registered Cessna 402 operated by Flamingo Air, departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was bound for San Andros when it crashed, according to the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis initially said one person had survived the crash. However, he later confirmed during a press conference that the survivor had died from their injuries, bringing the death toll to 10. The victims have not yet been publicly identified.
"We gather beneath a cloud of great sorrow," Davis said during the press conference. "It has become a day of mourning."
"To every family that has received the devastating news that someone they love will not be coming home, we offer our deepest condolences," he added.
Earlier in the day, before the survivor's death was confirmed, Davis said he had been briefed by the Commissioner of Police and noted that authorities were still working to determine exactly what had happened.
"At this stage, the facts are still being established, and the relevant authorities are working to determine exactly what occurred," he said in a statement. "The families affected deserve compassion, privacy, and support as the investigation proceeds."
Following the fatal crash, the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation announced the temporary suspension of Flamingo Air's air operator certificate as a precautionary safety measure while investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The ministry said the suspension follows two separate aviation safety incidents involving the airline on Friday.
Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said the first incident occurred earlier in the day when another Flamingo Air aircraft, which was en route to Mayaguana, returned to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern. After the passengers safely disembarked, the aircraft caught fire. No injuries were reported in that incident, which is also under investigation.
Officials have not indicated whether the two incidents are connected.
Authorities said investigations into both events are ongoing as they work to determine the causes of the incidents. The government said the public will be updated as more confirmed information becomes available.
