Ten people died Friday when a Flamingo Air plane crashed in North Andros, Bahamas, shortly after departing from Lynden Pindling International Airport. The flight, which was carrying members of the popular Da Pond Band and a local DJ to an Independence Day celebration, went down in a wooded area 18 minutes after takeoff, according to the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.
Aviation Safety and Charter Practices in the Bahamas
Shenia Roberts, a vocalist for Da Pond Band who was already on Andros Island, stated that she communicated with Giovanni McKenzie via WhatsApp shortly before the flight. According to screenshots obtained by CBS News, McKenzie noted at 12:01 p.m. that the pilot was “waiting round for more people to full up the plane.”
A Bahamian aviation source told CBS News that waiting to fill seats on a plane is a common practice when clients pay per seat rather than chartering an entire aircraft. However, Roberts maintained that the band had secured a charter flight intended to be exclusive to the performers. Flamingo Air has suspended all flights following the crash and a separate incident earlier the same day, where another company plane caught fire upon landing in Nassau; no casualties were reported in that second incident.
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Impact on the Bahamian Entertainment Industry
The loss of Da Pond Band members has deeply affected the local entertainment scene. The group was well-known for their weekly performances in Nassau. The band members confirmed killed in the crash were Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot, and Travis Johnson, along with DJ Melvin Henfield, known as DJ Fresh.
“They meant so much to so many people, this country is wrecked,” singer Anishka Lewis said. She noted that she had been in rehearsals with the group until 1 a.m. the night before the tragedy. Other victims included three passengers whose names have not been publicly released by officials. Anasthasia Rolle, a grieving parent, told CBS News she believes her 16-year-old son, Nicholas Oliver Jr., was among those on board after being added to the flight at the last minute.
Operational Oversight and Investigation
The Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority is currently conducting a formal probe into the cause of the crash. Roberts, who flew on the same plane earlier that morning, remarked, “You could tell it was an old plane, but we didn’t have any issues.”
The owner of Flamingo Air declined to provide a statement when reached by phone, offering “no comment” regarding the crash or the airline’s subsequent suspension of flights. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on flight records—which confirm the plane took off at approximately 12:30 p.m.—and maintenance logs for the aircraft involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of Flamingo Air?
Flamingo Air has suspended all flights following the crash in North Andros and a separate emergency incident in Nassau on the same day.
Who were the victims identified by the band?
Da Pond Band identified the victims as Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot, Travis Johnson, and DJ Melvin Henfield.
Is the investigation into the crash still ongoing?
Yes, the Bahamian Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the flight that crashed 18 minutes after departure.
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