During the period December 6 - 10, 2021 the Bahamas Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) was the focus of an audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for compliance with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) of the Annexes to the Convention for Civil Aviation, Accident Investigation Group (AIG). The AAIA, due to its establishment of the authority and creation of legislation, regulations, guidance materials, procedures and processes and retention of qualified personnel found lacking during the 2017 audit, compliance scores increased from that obtained in 2017 of 13.59% to the 2021 scores of 90.20%.

The AAIA's release of the first Occurrence Analysis Report covering multiyear analysis aims to bring aviation occurrence data to the consciousness of the industry by providing up-to-date, near real-time accident/incident analysis. As the majority of accident and incident covered in this report relates to general aviation commercial and non-commercial fixed-wing aircraft activities, focus and analysis were placed primarily on those 2 sectors. Commercial Airline occurrences, although documented, were not analyzed in-depth, due to their low numbers.

The latest investigative tool utilized by the AAIA is the integrated Safety Cube Aviation Risk & Compliance Management software solution which provides a practical answer to the latest risk management requirements and leverages data to support safety strategy. 

The captured safety & compliance data is used to identify opportunities for reaching operational excellence, support decision making, and enhance safety.  The software also identifies and tracks weaknesses and gaps in the management system and operational processes.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was executed between the AAIA  and respective organizations in the Bahamas in accordance with international conventions and Bahamas Legislation for assistance and coordination in the investigation of aviation accidents and incidents in the Bahamas.

Organizations MOUs were executed with  includes, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, the Attorney General Office - Coroner, the Airport Rescue and Firefighting Services, the Nassau Airport Development Company, the Airport Authority, FlyTecc - Drone Services, and the Civil Aviation Authority- Bahamas.

On 5th June 2022, at approximately 9:00am EDT (1200 UTC), a Piper PA-31 aircraft with United States registration N711JW, crashed into bushes some two (2) miles from the Deadman's Cay Airport, Long Island, Bahamas, shortly after departing the airport.

The flight was enroute to the Lynden Pindling Int'l Airport, Nassau, Bahamas with seven (7) persons on board. 

One female passenger received fatal injuries as a result of the crash sequence. The remaining six passengers received varying degrees of injuries and were subsequently airlifted, via United States Coast Guard helicopter, to New Providence, Bahamas to receive medical attention. 

On the 17th October, 2022, the AAIA was notified of an occurrence that took place at the Black Point Airport (MYEB), Black Point, Exuma, Bahamas at approximately 4:30 pm EST (1630 UTC) involving Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holder Flamingo Air Ltd aircraft, a Beech 99 with registration C6-OFM.

Reports received indicated that upon landing runway 11 at MYEB, there was a collapse of the left main landing gear which led to the aircraft veering off to the left side of the runway’s centerline. It then travelled a distance of approximately 1,516 feet down the runway, at which point it exited the useable paved portion of the runway (left side), ultimately coming to rest in bushes after travelling an additional 265 feet. 

There were damages observed to the left wing, left propeller, and aircraft undercarriage including the pod. There were no reported injuries in relation to the occurrence.