THE TRAGIC TRUTHABOUT FLAMINGO AIR

2005—2026 · SOURCE-BACKED RECORD

The incident timeline.

17 documented occurrences and public safety controversies. Every entry carries an evidence-status label and direct links to the material supporting it.

Best-effort public record: “Every incident” cannot be guaranteed where records are unpublished or not indexed. Corrections supported by documents are welcomed.
17 of 17 records shownPublic record current through 12 July 2026
2026
Investigation preliminary

Ten people killed on approach to San Andros

Near San Andros Airport, North Andros

ROUTE · Nassau → San Andros

Cessna 402CC6-FLX10 lives lost

The aircraft departed Lynden Pindling International Airport for San Andros. AAIA said preliminary information indicated it reportedly encountered difficulties and crashed into bushes before landing. The pilot and nine passengers died; one occupant initially rescued alive later died from their injuries.

WHAT IS KNOWN

AAIA is gathering operational and technical evidence. No cause or contributing factor has been determined. Members of The Pond Band and a DJ were among those lost, according to the Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union; authorities had not issued a definitive public list of individual names as of 12 July.

Why this matters: CAA-B suspended Flamingo Air’s Air Operator Certificate after the day’s two occurrences. Officials called it a precautionary safety measure, not a finding of fault or non-compliance.

newsAssociated Press · 11 Jul 2026newsReuters · 11 Jul 2026officialAAIA aircraft identification updatedatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2026
Under investigation

Aircraft catches fire after passengers deplane

Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau

ROUTE · Nassau → Mayaguana → return to Nassau

Beech 99 reported by ASNC6-OFM reported by ASNPassengers safe · no injuries reported

A Mayaguana-bound Flamingo Air flight returned to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern. Passengers disembarked safely; the aircraft then caught fire on the ground. The ministry did not identify the registration in its initial account.

WHAT IS KNOWN

The event remains under investigation. Aviation Safety Network identifies C6-OFM, but that registration should be treated as reported until confirmed by the investigating authority.

newsAssociated Press · 11 Jul 2026databaseAviation Safety Network record
2026
Preliminary report

Left main landing gear collapses at LPIA

Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau

ROUTE · Marsh Harbour → Nassau

Beech 99AC6-FLOPilot uninjured

The sole pilot saw an unsafe gear indication approaching Nassau. The left main landing gear collapsed on touchdown, damaging the left propeller, wing and gear door.

WHAT IS KNOWN

AAIA’s preliminary report recorded the occurrence; the investigation remained open when this timeline was compiled.

officialAAIA preliminary reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2024
Disputed public account

Viral exit-door video prompts conflicting accounts

Grand Bahama International Airport

ROUTE · Bimini → Freeport

Aircraft not publicly identifiedNot reportedNo injuries reported

A viral video showed an emergency exit open with passengers aboard. Early posts and reports suggested an in-flight event. Flamingo Air said a passenger opened the exit only after landing while the aircraft was taxiing in Freeport.

WHAT IS KNOWN

No official investigation was located. This entry documents the public controversy and the airline’s correction; it does not treat the video as proof of a mid-air door failure.

newsThe Tribune · airline responsenewsEyewitness News · viral report
2023
Confirmed occurrence

Passenger door and boarding ladder deploy in flight

Shortly after departure from Nassau

ROUTE · Nassau → Staniel Cay → return to Nassau

Beech 99C6-MMK17 aboard · no injuries

The door and ladder deployed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft returned safely to LPIA. Flamingo Air said the latch had not been fastened and turbulence compounded the problem.

WHAT IS KNOWN

AAIA opened an investigation. The airline said an employee was reprimanded and refresher training ordered. CAA-B temporarily grounded the carrier, then cleared it to resume on 10 October. No published final AAIA report was located.

newsThe Tribune · report and airline responsenewsOur News · clearance to resumedatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2023
Final AAIA bulletin

Gear-up landing after checklist was not followed

Black Point, Exuma

Beech 99C6-FLR11 aboard · no injuries

The aircraft landed with its landing gear retracted. Two crew and nine passengers escaped injury; the cargo pod, propellers and lower aircraft structure were damaged.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

AAIA concluded the crew did not follow the manufacturer’s pre-landing checklist. CAA-B began competency re-evaluation of both pilots.

officialAAIA final bulletinnewsThe Tribune · contemporary reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2022
Final AAIA report

Landing-gear component fails; aircraft enters bushes

Black Point, Exuma

Beech 99C6-OFM11 aboard · no injuries

The left main landing gear collapsed on landing and the aircraft veered off the runway into bushes. Two crew and nine passengers were uninjured.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

Investigators found failure of the left gear drag-brace support fitting, with missing runway markings contributing. AAIA said the approved 200-hour inspection interval might be inadequate across several Beech 99 aircraft in Flamingo’s fleet. CAA-B ordered the airline to inspect the component every 25 hours.

Why this matters: This is the strongest published official finding in the record that directly raised a fleet-wide maintenance-inspection concern.

officialAAIA final reportnewsThe Tribune · contemporary report
2020
Final AAIA report

Unsafe gear indication ends in nose-gear collapse

Lynden Pindling International Airport, Nassau

ROUTE · Nassau → Staniel Cay → return to Nassau

Beech 99C6-FLI7 aboard · no injuries

The crew aborted the Staniel Cay approach after an unsafe nose-gear indication and returned to Nassau. The nose gear collapsed during landing rollout, damaging the nose, gear and both propellers.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

AAIA confirmed internal failure of the nose-gear actuator. The report said maintenance records showed the aircraft was maintained in accordance with regulations.

officialAAIA final reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2020
Final AAIA bulletin

Taxiway pothole causes right landing gear to collapse

Leonard M. Thompson International Airport, Marsh Harbour

Cessna 402CC6-FLA10 aboard · no injuries

After a normal landing, the aircraft’s right main gear fell into a taxiway pothole and collapsed. The pilot and nine passengers were uninjured.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

AAIA identified the deteriorated taxiway and numerous potholes as a serious airport safety hazard. The occurrence was not attributed to Flamingo Air maintenance.

officialAAIA final bulletinnewsEyewitness News · contemporary report
2019
Final AAIA bulletin

Touchdown before usable runway ends in bushes

Black Point, Exuma

ROUTE · Staniel Cay → Black Point

Beech 99C6-FERNo injuries · substantial damage

The right gear touched down before the usable runway, entered a depression and struck exposed asphalt. It collapsed, and the aircraft travelled roughly 1,527 feet before leaving the runway and stopping in bushes.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

The final bulletin raised pilot-competency concerns. Both pilots were suspended, re-evaluated and later reinstated. The report is internally inconsistent on whether 13 or 14 people were aboard, so this timeline does not state an exact occupant total.

officialAAIA final bulletinnewsEyewitness News · pilots reinstateddatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2018
AAIA occurrence bulletin

Left engine auto-feathers after takeoff

Grand Bahama International Airport, Freeport

ROUTE · Freeport → Bimini → return to Freeport

Beech 99C6-FLR11 aboard · safe return

While climbing through about 500 feet, the left engine automatically entered feather mode. The crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Freeport. Two crew and nine passengers were aboard; there was no injury or damage.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

AAIA completed a limited investigation and issued no recommendations.

officialAAIA occurrence bulletindatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2016
News and database record

Runway excursion and right main-gear collapse

South Bimini Airport

ROUTE · Freeport → Bimini

Beech C99C6-FLI19 aboard · no injuries reported

The aircraft left the runway during landing and its right main landing gear collapsed. Aviation Safety Network lists substantial damage and 19 occupants, with no injuries.

WHAT IS KNOWN

No AAIA final report was located. ASN labels the available evidence as news or unofficial-source information.

newsThe Tribune · contemporary reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2016
Contemporary news report

Landing gear fails to extend

Staniel Cay, Exuma

Reported as Beech 99 in later summariesNot reportedAll aboard exited unharmed

Passengers escaped injury after the landing gear failed to open during landing at Staniel Cay.

WHAT IS KNOWN

No official final report was located. The public record does not establish why the gear failed to extend.

newsThe Tribune · contemporary report
2013
Ministry account · no final report found

Emergency landing after an unspecified landing problem

Mayaguana

Cessna 402Not reported2 pilots · no injuries

A charter aircraft made an emergency landing in Mayaguana with two pilots and no passengers aboard. The contemporary ministry account did not specify the mechanical problem; later summaries describe a landing-gear collapse.

WHAT IS KNOWN

The Flight Standards Inspectorate announced an investigation, but no final technical report was located. Some later lists use 4 October; the contemporary report and ASN use 5 October.

newsMinistry account via Bahamas LocaldatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2012
Final AAIA report

Late go-around on a short, wet runway ends in trees

Staniel Cay, Exuma

ROUTE · Nassau → Staniel Cay

Cessna 402CC6-FLMSeveral minor injuries · substantial damage

In very heavy rain, the aircraft landed on a short wet runway, hydroplaned and then attempted a late go-around before striking trees. Several occupants were treated for minor injuries or scrapes.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

The final report cited poor judgment, inadequate familiarity with aircraft systems, performance and weather, and pilot decision-making. It recommended removing the pilot from commercial duty, auditing Flamingo’s operations and maintenance, re-examination, written training policies and suspension of company check-airman authorisations.

officialAAIA final reportnewsBahamas Weekly · police report
2012
Police and news reports

Mechanical problem forces crash-landing in mangroves

Mangroves east of Freeport, Grand Bahama

ROUTE · Freeport → Eleuthera

Piper AztecC6-CGI reported with uncertainty4 rescued · no injuries reported

Shortly after takeoff, the twin-engine aircraft encountered mechanical problems. The pilot put it down in mangroves east of Freeport. The pilot and three passengers were rescued.

WHAT IS KNOWN

A police investigation was reported, but no final technical report was located. ASN adds a question mark to the registration, so the tail number remains uncertain.

newsThe Tribune · rescue reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record
2005
Final investigation report

Both engines stop after fuel exhaustion

About 3 nautical miles short of Moss Town, Exuma

ROUTE · Freeport → Bimini → Exuma

Britten-Norman BN-2A-26 IslanderC6-ASA3 survived · aircraft written off

Both engines stopped approaching Exuma and the pilot force-landed in bushes short of the runway. The pilot and two passengers survived without serious injury; the aircraft was destroyed.

WHAT INVESTIGATORS FOUND

The final report found fuel exhaustion, inability to calculate the fuel required and poor judgment in continuing. It expressly found no evidence of improper maintenance. Regulators suspended the pilot’s licence during the investigation and ordered a fuel-policy audit.

officialAAIA final reportdatabaseAviation Safety Network record