In brief
A small aircraft crash near Nassau Airport claimed ten lives, including nine passengers and the pilot, on the day the Bahamas celebrated its 53rd independence anniversary. The Cessna 402, operated by Flamingo Air, encountered difficulties en route to San Andros Airport and crashed into bushes before landing. Authorities initially reported a survivor that later died from injuries. Flamingo Air's operator certificate was temporarily suspended as a precautionary safety measure amid two prior incidents. The incident has cast a grim shadow over the nation’s celebratory day.
Nine passengers and a pilot have died in a small plane crash in the Bahamas, officials said.
The light aircraft was making a short trip from Lynden Pindling International Airport near Nassau to San Andros Airport when it reportedly encountered difficulties and crashed into bushes prior to landing, the country's Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority said in a statement.
The fatal crash occurred on the day of the Bahamas' 53rd independence anniversary.
"Today is a day of celebration but it has become a day of mourning," Prime Minister Philip Davis told a media conference.
He added: "Once again, a chapter in our nation's story has been marked by tragedy."
Davis initially said there was one survivor, but he confirmed hours later that the person had died from their injuries. The details of the people on board, including their age and names, have not been released.
The Cessna 402 aircraft was operated by Flamingo Air, a Bahamas-based airline. The Ministry of Aviation said it was temporarily suspending the airline's air operator certificate "as a precautionary safety measure." The grounding measure "should not be treated as an adverse compliance action against Flamingo Air," the ministry said, noting there had been "two safety incidents" that had occurred on Friday.
Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby‑Davis told reporters that a plane had earlier routed back to Nassau when the pilot reported an issue. A fire broke out on board once the aircraft landed and passengers had disembarked, the BBC's US partner CBS News reported.
The BBC has contacted Flamingo Air for comment. In remarks to local media, the airline said: "At this time, the details are being gathered, and we are committed to cooperating with the relevant authorities."
