A small aircraft carrying seven people crashed in the Pine Yard district close to North Andros Airport in the Bahamas on Thursday, triggering an immediate precautionary suspension of Flamingo Air’s Air Operator Certificate by national aviation authorities, as search and rescue teams continue scouring the crash site for missing passengers and crew.
The Bahamas Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation announced the regulatory action, noting the suspension was enacted in the interest of public aviation safety following two separate safety incidents involving the airline on the same day as the crash. Emergency dispatchers first received reports of the downed aircraft just after 2 p.m. local time, prompting first responders and search teams to deploy to the remote Pine Yard area immediately after the alert.
Per the ministry’s official statement, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority has been assigned to lead a full probe into the circumstances of the crash, to identify root causes and any contributing factors that led to the accident. Director General of the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority emphasized that the temporary operating certificate suspension is a proactive precautionary safety measure, not an immediate finding of non-compliance or fault against Flamingo Air at this early stage of the investigation.
As of Thursday afternoon, officials have not released public details about the aircraft’s registration number, its specific operational history, or confirmed any casualties related to the crash. The ministry confirmed it is receiving real-time updates from the Civil Aviation Authority, local law enforcement, and emergency management agencies as the search operation progresses.
“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families who have been impacted by this incident,” the ministry said in its statement. This report reflects the latest available information as the situation remains ongoing and developing.