The government suspended the airline’s operating certificate as investigators examined two aviation incidents that occurred on Independence Day.
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Ten people were killed Friday when a Flamingo Air passenger plane crashed near San Andros Airport, turning the country’s Independence Day celebrations into a period of national mourning.
The Cessna 402 had left Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and was flying to San Andros when it went down in bushes near the airport shortly after 1 p.m., according to preliminary information from the Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority. Officials said the aircraft, registered as C6-FLX, had encountered difficulties before the crash. The cause had not been determined.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis initially announced that one person had survived. He later said the survivor had died from injuries, leaving no survivors among the 10 people aboard. Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles said nine men and one woman were killed. Authorities had not released a complete list of names while officials worked to notify their families.
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union said members of The Pond Band and a DJ were among those killed. The union said the performers had contributed to the country’s cultural life. Officials had not independently released the identities of all the victims as of Saturday.
The crash happened as Bahamians marked the 53rd anniversary of the country’s independence. Davis said a day intended for celebration had become one of mourning and offered condolences to the victims’ relatives. A government Independence Day event at Clifford Park was converted into a memorial service following the crash.
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority traveled to North Andros with inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas and personnel from the Airport Authority. Police also sent a team to the island. Officials urged the public to avoid spreading unconfirmed information while investigators examined the wreckage and the events leading to the crash.
The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation temporarily suspended Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate after the crash. The ministry described the suspension as a precautionary safety measure rather than a finding that the airline had violated aviation rules. Flamingo Air flights cannot resume under the certificate while the suspension remains in effect.
Officials said the decision followed two separate incidents involving the airline Friday. Earlier in the day, a Flamingo Air plane traveling to Mayaguana returned to Nassau after its pilot reported a concern. The passengers left the aircraft safely before it caught fire on the ground. No injuries were reported in that incident, which is also under investigation.
Authorities had not established whether the two incidents were related. Investigators also had not announced any finding about mechanical failure, pilot actions, weather or other possible factors in the North Andros crash. Previous incidents involving Flamingo Air aircraft are expected to receive renewed scrutiny, but officials have not linked them to Friday’s fatal flight.
The accident investigation remained active Saturday, and officials had not announced when Flamingo Air’s suspension could be lifted. A final determination of the crash’s cause could require a detailed review of the aircraft, its records and other evidence gathered by investigators.
Author note: Last updated July 11, 2026.