The Bahamas is mourning after a devastating day of aviation emergencies left 10 people dead, one survivor injured and a local airline temporarily grounded.
Shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, a Cessna 402 with Bahamian registration departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau for San Andros Airport. According to the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA), the aircraft “encountered difficulties” and crashed into dense bushes shortly before landing in North Andros.
First responders from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Airport Authority and emergency medical services rushed into the brush to reach the wreckage.
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union later confirmed that 10 people lost their lives, including prominent members of Da Pond Band and a local DJ. The union paid tribute to the victims, saying their artistry had touched countless lives and helped enrich the cultural fabric of The Bahamas. 
Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis said one survivor was pulled from the wreckage and offered prayers for the families of those killed and for the survivor’s recovery.
Officials are still working to establish the exact flight manifest. Initial preliminary information from investigators had indicated seven people were aboard, but authorities are continuing to verify the facts.
Just hours before the deadly North Andros crash, a Flamingo Air flight bound for Mayaguana was forced to return to Nassau after the pilot reported a concern.
The aircraft landed safely and all passengers deplaned, but the plane then caught fire on the runway. Fortunately, passengers were already off the aircraft.
Following the two back-to-back aviation safety incidents, the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas temporarily suspended Flamingo Air’s air operator certificate as a precautionary safety measure.
Authorities stressed that the suspension should not be considered an adverse compliance action against the airline.
Investigators from the AAIA and inspectors from the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas remain involved as authorities work to determine what caused the fatal Cessna 402 crash in North Andros.
