Full Breakdown
Tragedy Over Andros: Flamingo Air Crash Claims Musicians and DJ
7/15/2026, 1:23:44 AM
The Fatal Flight
On Friday, July 10, 2026, a Flamingo Air Cessna 402 (registration C6-FLX) departed Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau for San Andros Airport. Approximately 18 minutes after take-off, the aircraft “encountered difficulties” and crashed into dense brush in North Andros, killing all 10 people aboard. The flight was intended to transport members of the popular Da Pond Band and local DJ Melvin Henfield (“DJ Fresh”) to an Independence-Day celebration on Andros Island.
Timeline of Events
- July 10, 2026 ? 1:00 p.m. – Cessna 402 departs Nassau for San Andros.
- ? 1:18 p.m. – Plane crashes in North Andros; initial reports suggest one survivor.
- Later July 10 – Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis confirms the survivor later died from injuries.
- Earlier July 10 – A separate Flamingo Air flight to Mayaguana returns to Nassau after the pilot reports a concern; the aircraft catches fire on the runway, with no injuries.
- July 13 – Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Aviation announces a temporary suspension of Flamingo Air’s Air Operator Certificate while the Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) conducts a probe.
Who Was Lost
The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union identified five core Da Pond Band members among the dead: Giovanni McKenzie, Mateo Winder, Rashad Storr, Tonique Gilot, and Travis Johnson. DJ Melvin Henfield (“DJ Fresh”) also perished. Three additional passengers, whose names have not been released, were on board.
Official Government Response
Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis addressed the nation, expressing “unbearable grief” for the families and confirming that the crash investigation follows ICAO Annex 13 standards. Energy, Utilities and Aviation Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis detailed the earlier Mayaguana incident, noting the aircraft “caught fire” after passengers de-boarded. The Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas (CAAB) suspended Flamingo Air’s Air Operator Certificate as a “precautionary safety measure,” emphasizing that the action is not a punitive compliance sanction.
Reactions from the Music Community
Surviving vocalist Shenia Roberts recalled daily conversations with the victims, saying, “They were the people that I talked to in the morning, in the night.” Band member Shaniese Miller described the loss as “shocking” and “unbelievable.” Singer Anishka Lewis lamented that the country “is wrecked,” while former band associate Lamar Polhamus called the deceased “the core, the heart, and the life of the band.” The Bahamas Musicians and Entertainers Union reiterated that the victims’ “passion, dedication, and artistry” enriched the nation’s cultural fabric.
Investigation and Unresolved Questions
Initial AAIA reports listed seven occupants; later statements confirmed ten fatalities, highlighting discrepancies in the passenger manifest. Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the crash, and the identities of three non-musician passengers remain unknown. A survivor was briefly reported but later died, creating further confusion in early reporting.
Impact on Bahamian Aviation and Culture
The double incident on July 10 prompted the first suspension of a local carrier’s operating certificate in recent years, raising scrutiny of charter-flight practices that wait to fill seats before departure. The loss of five prominent musicians and a DJ has reverberated through the nation’s entertainment sector, casting a pall over Independence-Day celebrations and prompting calls for enhanced aviation safety standards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “They were the people that I talked to in the morning, in the night,” — Shenia Roberts, vocalist, Da Pond Band
- “I'm still shocked that they're gone. I can't believe it,” — Shaniese Miller, band member
- “That should have not been the situation, because it was a chartered plane,” — Shenia Roberts, vocalist, Da Pond Band
- “Ann and I are praying for the families who are now facing unbearable grief.” — Philip Brave Davis, Prime Minister of the Bahamas
- “After the plane landed and the passengers deboarded, the plane caught fire, she said.” — JoBeth Coleby-Davis, Minister of Energy, Utilities and Aviation
- “Da Pond Band has lost 5 of its members who were the core, the heart, and the life of the band,” — Lamar Polhamus, singer.
