Exuma Airport Light Failure Prompts CAAB Investigation After Patient Death

The Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas (CAAB) has launched an investigation following the death of a 76-year-old man after an air ambulance was unable to land at Exuma International Airport due to a reported runway lighting failure. The incident occurred on the night of February 18, 2026, forcing the medical flight to abort its mission and return to New Providence.

The event has placed intense scrutiny on the operational integrity of airport infrastructure in The Bahamas' Family Islands, where emergency medical flights are often the only viable option for patients requiring advanced care. The failure to facilitate the landing has raised significant questions about airport safety protocols and the reliability of critical healthcare access for remote communities.

Incident Details

According to an account from the family, an air ambulance carrying medical personnel arrived over Exuma International Airport at approximately 11:30 p.m. to evacuate Alston Rolle, a 76-year-old patient. The aircraft reportedly circled the airfield at least four times but was unable to land because the runway lights were not operational. With fuel levels becoming a concern, the flight crew made the decision to abort the landing and return to its origin in New Providence.

Mr. Rolle was transported back to a local clinic for overnight observation. He was pronounced dead at approximately 4:00 a.m., hours before a new medevac flight could be arranged for daybreak. The family has also raised separate concerns about the handling of the death certificate and the subsequent release of Mr. Rolle's body.

In a statement, Exuma and Ragged Island Member of Parliament (MP) Chester Cooper confirmed the incident and the subsequent death of the patient. "I have been advised that preliminary investigations confirm that routine checks of runway lights at sundown confirmed that they were fully operable at that time," Cooper stated. He confirmed that he has requested a full investigation by the CAAB.

Investigation and Infrastructure Concerns

The runway light failure has drawn criticism from political figures and highlighted ongoing concerns about infrastructure in the region. Debra Moxey-Rolle, a candidate for the Free National Movement (FNM), a major political party in The Bahamas, described the situation as a dangerous failure. "For years, the people of the Exumas and Ragged Island have been asked to accept less when it comes to healthcare," she stated. "What we are seeing now is not inconvenience. It is a failure. And it is dangerous."

This incident is particularly concerning as it follows recent, extensive upgrades at Exuma International Airport. The airport has been a key part of the 'Family Island Airport Renaissance project,' a government initiative to modernize aviation infrastructure. In an announcement in October 2025, just four months prior to the incident, MP Cooper had stated that new lighting systems and other airside infrastructure at the airport had been completed. The failure of these new or recently renovated systems to operate during a critical medical emergency is expected to be a central focus of the CAAB's investigation.

The regulatory context for this event falls under the purview of the CAAB, which is the body responsible for safety and security oversight of all aviation activities in The Bahamas. The investigation will likely examine potential causes ranging from equipment malfunction and power supply issues to human error in airport operations.

Why This Matters

This incident transcends a single operational failure, underscoring the life-or-death link between aviation infrastructure and healthcare access in archipelagic nations. For The Bahamas, it serves as a critical test of the effectiveness of its significant investments in airport modernization. The outcome of the CAAB investigation will have major implications for airport operational standards, emergency protocols, and political accountability for ensuring the safety and reliability of essential services in the Family Islands.

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