During a press conference held by the Aviation Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) this week, Chief Investigator Kendal Dorsett Jr. laid out the final moments of the fatal Flamingo Air flight that crashed in North Andros.

According to Dorsett the Cessna 402 aircraft left the Lynden Pindling International Airport around 12:30 pm on Friday, July 10th. The pilot made his final communication with air traffic control at 12:41 pm, by 12:48 pm all communications with the aircraft ceased and it crashed into the pine forest near the San Andros Airport.

Dorsett Jr. told reporters, “the impact with trees and the aircraft after that would have traveled a short distance before coming to rest in a heavily wooded area. And this area was to the west of runway 1-2 of the San Andros Airport at a distance of approximately one nautical mile. The aircraft was destroyed by fire with nine persons receiving fatal injuries. One occupant survived the aftermath of the crash sequence. The surviving occupant was able to evacuate the aircraft after the crash sequence and he made it for a short distance. However, he later succumbed to his injuries in a short time.”

The Chief Investigator went further explaining the state of the aircraft after impact. He said, “on scene, during our observations, it was determined that the landing gear was observed to be in an extended position and the flaps were also observed to be in an extended position. So based on those observations it would appear that the aircraft would have been configured for landing at the time of the accident.”

Dorsett Jr. said investigators will be reviewing documents such as maintenance records, pilots records, ATC records, weather, witness statements, fuel uplift and human factors issues. He said, “we want to ensure that the AAIA continues to conduct its investigations in accordance with international standards, that’s the main objective. The second objective is to ensure that the families are given priority in terms of information released and the investigation.”