The Bahamas’ Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) has formally alerted the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAAB) regarding critical safety hazards following two alarming near-miss incidents involving American Airlines aircraft at Family Island airports. These events, occurring just two weeks apart in February, prompted the issuance of a Serious Safety Concern advisory, highlighting potentially catastrophic failures in communication protocols.
The first incident unfolded on February 12 at Exuma International Airport. According to reports referenced by U.S. federal regulators, an American Airlines flight approaching Exuma was compelled to execute abrupt evasive maneuvers to avoid a collision with a departing aircraft. This sudden action resulted in injuries to two flight attendants, who subsequently received medical evaluation at a local clinic and were placed on leave.
A second serious event occurred on February 24 at North Eleuthera International Airport. An American Airlines jet was positioned for takeoff when another aircraft passed directly overhead while the first plane remained on the active runway. The report did not identify the inbound or overhead aircraft involved in either incident.
The AAIA’s investigation suggests that proper communication protocols at these uncontrolled aerodromes may have been violated. American Airlines reported that neither aircraft involved in the incidents made the required self-announcement of their position on the correct frequency—a fundamental international aviation standard for airports without control towers.
AAIA Chief Investigator Kendall Dorsett Jr. confirmed both incidents remain under active investigation. He emphasized that the agency has an obligation to identify and report potential hazards within the local aviation system. While declining to specify whether near-miss reports have increased, Dorsett noted that such occurrences are reported when they happen.
Aviation professionals speaking anonymously revealed that such incidents occur with concerning frequency at Family Island airports, most of which lack functional control towers or air traffic controllers. The AAIA acknowledged that operations at busy uncontrolled aerodromes demand heightened responsibility from pilots and called for immediate safety measures while longer-term operational and infrastructural improvements are considered.
This safety alert echoes longstanding concerns about aviation operations in the region. A 2016 report from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Eastern Regional Task Group previously highlighted safety hazards in Caribbean operations, specifically noting the lack of live flight tracking in Bahamian airspace and insufficient advanced meteorological services for air traffic controllers monitoring the region.
Officials from the CAAB had not responded to requests for comment by press time.