NASSAU, BAHAMAS: Sixty gallons of aviation fuel taken on and two round trips completed before a third flight ended in tragedy, killing all 10 people onboard a Flamingo Air aircraft bound for San Andros.
The new details are among several findings contained in a preliminary report released Sunday by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority into the July 10 crash of the Cessna 402C, registration C6 FLX.
Investigators have not determined what caused the crash, and the preliminary report draws no conclusion linking the amount of fuel purchased or the aircraft’s earlier flights that day to the accident. The report also does not specify exactly when the 60 gallons of AVGAS fuel were taken on during the day.
The aircraft was piloted by 45 year old Franklyn Cambridge, who investigators say had amassed more than 13,000 hours of total flight experience.
Cambridge had approximately 10,000 hours aboard the De Havilland Dash 8 300 and approximately 1,680 hours aboard the ATR 42/72. Approximately 200 of his documented flight hours were aboard the Cessna 402C.
He held a commercial pilot certificate along with single engine, multiengine and instrument ratings. His most recent proficiency check for commercial air transport operations aboard the Cessna 402C was conducted on April 29, less than three months before the crash, and was completed satisfactorily.
Also killed were passengers Giovanni McKenzie, Rashad Storr, Mateo Winder, Toniquea Gilot, Tra’vis Johnson, Melvin Henfield, Quintin Myers, Macaro Rolle and 16 year old Nicholas Oliver Jr.
The aircraft departed Lynden Pindling International Airport at approximately 12:30 p.m. on its third outbound flight to San Andros.
Radar data provides a minute by minute account of what happened over the next 18 minutes.
At approximately 12:41 p.m., C6 FLX cancelled air traffic services while about 10 nautical miles east of San Andros Airport.
Two minutes later, the aircraft made a slight right turn onto a northwesterly track consistent with joining the traffic pattern for runway 12. It was then at approximately 2,500 feet.
By approximately 12:46 p.m., C6 FLX had made a left turn consistent with the traffic pattern and was descending through approximately 1,800 feet.
The final radar data recorded at approximately 12:48 p.m. showed the aircraft at approximately 300 feet and travelling at an indicated airspeed of 62 knots.
While on final approach, the aircraft struck a stand of tall pine trees in a heavily wooded area, with investigators determining that the left wing made the initial contact.
The aircraft continued through the trees, shifting from its alignment with runway 12 before eventually coming to rest approximately one nautical mile from San Andros Airport.
A post impact fire consumed and destroyed the aircraft.
One male passenger was able to evacuate the aircraft following the impact but later succumbed to his injuries.
Based on the distribution of the wreckage, investigators said it appeared that a “low velocity, low angle impact” occurred.
The aircraft’s nose and main landing gear were found in the extended position, along with both flaps, which investigators said suggests C6 FLX was configured for landing before impact.
Investigators also documented differences in the condition of the aircraft’s two propellers.
The left engine was damaged by a combination of fire and impact forces. Its propeller remained attached to the hub with minimal signs of impact damage to its three blades.
The right engine was extensively damaged by fire and impact forces. Its propeller also remained attached, but all three blades showed substantial impact damage and were observed twisted and bent.
The main debris zone covered approximately 2,455 square feet, while the outer debris zone extended across approximately 15,500 square feet. The left wing navigation light, identified as the furthest piece of aircraft debris, was found approximately 85 feet from the main wreckage.
The aircraft itself had accumulated 16,314 hours of total time.
C6 FLX was not equipped with either a flight data recorder or cockpit voice recorder. Investigators noted that neither device was required under the relevant aviation regulations.
At the time of the crash, the aircraft had a valid Certificate of Registration through April 2027 and a valid Certificate of Airworthiness through May 2029.
Flamingo Air also held a valid Air Operator Certificate issued in April 2026 and valid through April 2028.
The report further reveals that the Civil Aviation Authority Bahamas had previously suspended Flamingo Air’s operations in October 2023.
Following the July 10 crash, the regulator again issued an immediate suspension of Flamingo Air’s operations as a precautionary safety measure, citing two safety related occurrences involving the airline that day.
The AAIA stressed that the report remains preliminary and contains factual information obtained during the first 30 days of the investigation.
No conclusions, contributing factors or probable cause have been determined at this stage.
