A devastating plane crash in the Bahamas on Friday killed all 10 people aboard, including members of a beloved local band and a popular DJ, turning what should have been a day of national celebration into one of profound mourning.
The Cessna 402 aircraft, operated by Flamingo Air, departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau shortly after 1 p.m. and was headed to San Andros when it encountered difficulties in midair and crashed in a wooded area near North Andros, located just west of the Bahamian capital. The impact was followed by a fire that destroyed the aircraft.
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union confirmed in a statement that the victims included prominent members of Da Pond Band, one of the country’s most well-known musical groups, and DJ Fresh, a popular island DJ. The union said their artistry “touched so many lives and helped to enrich the cultural fabric of The Bahamas.” While authorities have not officially released all identities, sources identified several victims including band members Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Giovanni McKenzie, who played keyboard, and singer Travis Johnson. DJ Fresh was identified as Melvin Henfield. Other identified victims included Quinton Myers, Franklyn Cambridge, who was identified as the pilot, Daniel Hall Jr., Melvin Higgs, Christopher Christie, and Tonique Gilot.
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis initially reported that one person had survived the crash, but he later confirmed in a press conference that the survivor had succumbed to injuries. “We gather beneath a cloud of great sorrow,” Davis said, noting that the tragedy occurred on the Bahamas’ 53rd Independence Day. “It has become a day of mourning. To every family that has received the devastating news, that someone they love will not be coming home, we offer our deepest condolences.”
The crash marked a tragedy of particular significance in the music and entertainment sector. Da Pond Band had been a staple of the Bahamian music scene for years, frequently performing at cultural events and festivals. The group was traveling to North Andros to perform at a scheduled event when the disaster struck.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority. The aircraft was a 1980-built Cessna 402C Utiliner III, identified as registration C6-FLX. According to preliminary reports, the twin-engine aircraft encountered difficulties during flight before crashing into bushes near the airport shortly before its intended landing.
The tragedy intensified scrutiny of Flamingo Air after a second safety incident occurred on the same day. Just hours before the fatal crash, another Flamingo Air aircraft en route to Mayaguana reported a technical concern and returned safely to Nassau. After passengers disembarked, the plane caught fire on the runway. No injuries were reported in that incident, which is also under investigation.
In response to the two incidents, the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas temporarily suspended Flamingo Air’s Air Operator Certificate as a precautionary safety measure while investigators examine operational procedures, aircraft conditions, and other safety-related factors. The ministry stated the suspension should not be treated as an adverse compliance action against the airline but rather as a necessary step during the investigation.
Flamingo Air, which operates a fleet of nine aircraft serving 13 destinations throughout the archipelago, expressed condolences to the victims’ families and confirmed cooperation with relevant authorities. The airline has been involved in eight other accidents since 2012, though Friday’s crash was the first fatal incident in the company’s history.
The disaster underscored the critical role aviation plays in the Bahamas, where small aircraft provide essential links between scattered island communities separated by large expanses of ocean. San Andros Airport serves as a key domestic link for the island’s northern settlements, where small aircraft are a routine part of daily travel.
Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles announced that a team of investigators, including an officer recently trained in air crash investigations in California, had been dispatched to North Andros to determine what led to the accident. The investigation into both the crash and the earlier aircraft fire continues as authorities work to prevent future incidents and provide answers to grieving families.