A Routine Takeoff Turns Into an Emergency
A seaplane carrying American tourists crashed into a dock in North Bimini, Bahamas, on Saturday morning, prompting a dramatic water rescue by nearby boaters. The Tropic Ocean Airways Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was preparing for takeoff when the incident occurred. Fortunately, all 10 people on board, including eight passengers and two crew members, escaped safely without injuries.
Pilot Attempted to Avoid Boat Traffic
According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the aircraft was taxiing across the water before takeoff when it encountered heavy boat traffic. Authorities said the pilot altered course to avoid nearby vessels, but the aircraft unexpectedly veered to the left and did not respond to corrective steering. The seaplane then collided with a dock near a resort before beginning to take on water.
Boaters Rush to the Rescue
People aboard nearby boats quickly responded after witnessing the crash. Within minutes, they reached the partially submerged aircraft and helped passengers and crew climb out safely. Witnesses estimated that everyone on board was evacuated within five to 10 minutes before the plane eventually rolled over and sank in approximately 100 feet of water.
Boater Jack Davoudpour, who helped with the rescue, recalled arriving at the scene to find the aircraft already halfway underwater.
“The captain said there was a plane crash. Let’s go. We go to the boat, and I see the plane is half sunk.”
Passenger Describes Frightening Moments
Passenger Jeanne O’Brien said the situation unfolded rapidly as the plane moved closer to the dock.
“All of a sudden the dock started getting closer and closer,” O’Brien said. “One of the people in the plane behind me said, ‘Where are you going?’ And then it just was ‘boom,’ and it hit.”
Video recorded inside the aircraft captured warning alarms sounding moments before the collision. Additional footage showed passengers standing on the wing of the partially submerged plane as rescuers arrived.
Investigation Underway
Tropic Ocean Airways said the aircraft was involved in what it described as a “mishap while taxiing before departure” and confirmed it is cooperating fully with investigators. Officials with the Bahamas’ Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority are working to determine what caused the aircraft to lose control before striking the dock.
The successful rescue highlights the importance of the quick response from nearby boaters, whose actions helped ensure that everyone aboard escaped safely before the aircraft disappeared beneath the water.
