Bahamas authorities grounded Flamingo Air after a Cessna 402 (registration C6-FLX) crashed near North Andros on July 10, killing 10 people. Nine victims died in a post-crash fire and a tenth later succumbed to injuries. The Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas temporarily suspended the airline’s Air Operator Certificate while the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority investigates. The crash included members of the Da Pond Band among the victims and has left the carrier’s future uncertain.
Flamingo Air Grounded After Cessna 402 Crash Kills 10; Carrier's Future Uncertain
With water so clear, it’s easy to spot marine life around Andros Island.
Bahamas authorities have grounded Flamingo Air after a Cessna 402 crashed on July 10 near North Andros, killing 10 people and prompting a formal investigation and temporary suspension of the airline’s operating certificate.
Spirit Airlines announced on May 2 that it wassuspending operations after more than 30 years in the business and years of financial hardships. The historic Marine Air Terminal, where Spirit’s operation is housed at LaGuardia International Airport in New York, was largely deserted on Saturday morning.All flights have been canceled, and the line's customer service is no longer available.A security guard stands at the door of a boarding gate were a displayed sign informs passengers of the airlines shutdown of Spirit Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.(David Dee Delgado, REUTERS)
What Happened
A mobile phone displays a Spirit Airlines operational update website, as the airline announced it was ceasing operations early Saturday morning following an impasse in talks with some creditors on a $500 million government bailout plan, at Orlando International Airport in Orlando, Florida, U.S., May 2, 2026.(Miguel Rodriguez, REUTERS)
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) reported that a Flamingo Air Cessna 402, registration C6-FLX, departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau at about 1:00 p.m. local time on Friday, July 10, en route to San Andros Airport. The aircraft "encountered difficulties and crashed into bushes prior to landing" in North Andros, the AAIA said. Nine occupants died in the post-crash fire; a tenth passenger initially survived the impact but later died of injuries, AAIA Chief Investigator Kendall Dorsett, Jr. said.
A departure board displays cancelled Spirit Airlines flights at Orlando International Airport, as the airline announced it was ceasing operations early Saturday morning following an impasse in talks with some creditors on a $500 million government bailout plan, in Orlando, Florida, U.S., May 2, 2026.(Miguel Rodriguez, REUTERS)
Victims
Literature left on a table for arriving passengers informing them of the airlines shutdown of Spirit Airlines at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.(David Dee Delgado, REUTERS)
The dead included five members of the Bahamian group Da Pond Band — Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot and Travis Johnson — as well as DJ Melvin Henfield (known as DJ Fresh), the band’s surviving members told CBS News. Authorities said the crash occurred on the country’s Independence Day.
An airline worker waits at the Spirit Airlines terminal at LaGuardia Airport in Queens, in New York City, U.S., May 2, 2026.(David Dee Delgado, REUTERS)
Regulatory Response and Investigation
The Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport is closed down after the airline shut down overnight on May 2, 2026 in Romulus, Michigan. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.(Sarah Rice, Getty Images)
The Ministry of Transport confirmed it had suspended Flamingo Air’s operating certificate, and the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation said the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas "temporarily suspended" the airline’s Air Operator Certificate as a precautionary safety measure while the AAIA conducts its inquiry. Authorities have not indicated whether Flamingo Air will be cleared to resume operations once the investigation concludes.
A busy United ticket counter next to the closed Spirit Airlines ticket counter at Detroit Metro Airport after the airline shut down overnight on May 2, 2026 in Romulus, Michigan. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.(Sarah Rice, Getty Images)
Operational Impact
Jeanne Dossous cleans around the Spirit Airlines check-in counter at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.(Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Flamingo Air suspended all flights on July 10 and began issuing refunds to affected customers on July 13. By July 17 the Freeport-based carrier’s website was offline and its social media accounts had been deleted or set to private.
A JetBlue plane takes off near idle Spirit Airlines planes on the tarmac at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 2, 2026 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Spirit Aviation Holdings Inc. announced today that it has canceled all upcoming flights and begun a wind-down of Spirit Airlines operations after failing to secure funding from the Trump administration.(Joe Raedle, Getty Images)
Earlier Same-Day Incident
Earlier on July 10, another Flamingo Air flight bound for Mayaguana returned to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern. After passengers deplaned, that aircraft caught fire; officials reported no injuries in that incident, Bahamian Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said at a press conference.
Routes and Services
Flamingo Air operated scheduled services between Bahamian islands and offered charter flights across the region. An archived copy of the carrier’s website lists destinations including Bimini, Black Point, Farmers Cay, Freeport, Mangrove Cay, Marsh Harbour, Nassau, Rock Sound, Staniel Cay and Great Harbour Cay, and the airline also marketed charters to South Florida, Cuba, Inagua and San Salvador.
Statement From the Airline
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and loved ones of the passengers who died in the 10th July plane crash in North Andros,” Flamingo Air said in a release.
What Comes Next
The AAIA investigation will determine the sequence of events and probable causes. Regulators have signaled heightened scrutiny of the carrier’s safety oversight and operations while the inquiry proceeds. Families of the victims and the broader Bahamian community await further details as investigators examine the wreckage, maintenance records and flight data.
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