NASSAU, Bahamas, July 13 (World Daily Times) — Bahamas aviation regulators grounded Flamingo Air flights after a deadly crash in North Andros killed 10 people and a separate same-day aircraft fire raised safety concerns.
The Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas suspended Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate as a precautionary safety measure, the Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation said. The ministry said the action should not be treated as an adverse compliance move against the airline.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said one person survived the crash. Bahamian authorities said the plane, a Flamingo Air Cessna 402, departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau and crashed before reaching San Andros Airport.
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union said musicians and a DJ were among the dead. In a Saturday statement, the union said five members of Da Pond Band were among the victims, but officials had not yet released the names of those killed.
Earlier Friday, another Flamingo Air flight headed to Mayaguana turned back to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern, and the plane caught fire after passengers deplaned, according to the ministry.
Investigators from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority of the Bahamas and inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority remained at the North Andros scene as they worked to determine what caused the crash.
