The victims included musicians and a DJ traveling from Nassau to North Andros during the country’s Independence Day celebrations.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Ten people died when a small Flamingo Air plane encountered trouble and crashed near an airport on North Andros, prompting Bahamian officials to suspend the airline’s operating certificate while investigators examine the cause.
The Cessna 402 was carrying nine passengers and a pilot from Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau to San Andros Airport on Friday, July 10, authorities said. The aircraft crashed into bushes at about 1 p.m., shortly before it was expected to land. One person was initially found alive but later died from their injuries, officials said.
Members of The Pond Band and a DJ were among those killed, according to the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union. The union did not identify all of the victims in its initial public statement but said members of the country’s entertainment community were mourning people whose work had contributed to Bahamian music and culture.
The crash happened as the Bahamas marked the 53rd anniversary of its independence. Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said the national celebration had become a day of mourning and offered condolences to the families of those killed. Authorities had not released a complete official list of the victims as of Monday.
The Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority said the plane reportedly encountered difficulties before it went down. Officials have not publicly described the nature of those difficulties, and no preliminary determination has been announced about whether weather, mechanical problems, human actions or another factor contributed to the crash.
Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles said the aircraft carried 10 people in all. Emergency workers and police responded to the crash site, where the aircraft was found outside the airport area. Early reports said one occupant had survived, but Davis later confirmed that the person died, leaving no survivors.
The Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation temporarily suspended Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate after the crash. The ministry described the action as a precautionary safety measure rather than a finding about the airline’s responsibility. The suspension prevents the carrier from operating flights while authorities review the accident and a second aviation incident involving the company.
That earlier incident occurred the same day on another Flamingo Air flight bound for Mayaguana, Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said. The pilot reported a concern and returned the aircraft to Nassau. Passengers got off safely before the plane caught fire, she said. Officials said that event is also under investigation.
Flamingo Air said it was gathering information and cooperating with the relevant authorities. The airline did not immediately provide a detailed public explanation of the fatal flight’s condition before the crash or say how long its operations might remain suspended.
The Cessna 402 is a twin-engine aircraft commonly used for short passenger and cargo trips. Officials identified the crashed aircraft as being registered in the Bahamas, but they had not publicly released a full maintenance history, crew record or detailed account of communications between the pilot and air traffic personnel.
The flight connected New Providence, where Nassau is located, with North Andros, part of an island group west of the capital. Small aircraft provide important links among Bahamian islands, making the government’s grounding decision significant for passengers and communities served by the carrier.
The musicians’ union said the loss had deeply affected the country’s entertainment industry. The organization remembered the victims for their passion, dedication and artistry while asking that their relatives and friends be kept in mind. Other public tributes also began appearing after news spread that musicians were aboard the aircraft.
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority is expected to examine the wreckage, flight records, maintenance information, weather conditions and available communications. Authorities have not announced when a preliminary report will be released or when Flamingo Air may be permitted to resume service.
The airline’s suspension remained in effect Monday as officials investigated both incidents. The cause of the North Andros crash had not been determined, and authorities said further information would be released as the investigation progresses and victims’ families are formally notified.
Author note: Last updated July 13, 2026.