A seaplane operated by Tropic Ocean Airways crashed and sank near a resort off North Bimini, Bahamas, on August 1, 2026. All ten people on board, including eight passengers and two crew members, were safely rescued with no reported injuries.
Incident Details
The 2014 Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was preparing for takeoff shortly after 10 a.m. local time when heavy boat traffic forced the pilot to alter course to find a safer path. During this manoeuvre, the aircraft veered left, struck a dock, and subsequently sank to approximately 100 feet.
Rescue Efforts
- Nearby boaters quickly responded, evacuating all occupants before police arrived.
- Nick Pavlakis, general manager of MarineMax, was among the first to assist, describing a swift rescue operation lasting 20 to 30 minutes, including luggage retrieval.
Eyewitness Accounts and Investigation
Passenger Jeanne O'Brien recounted how the plane unexpectedly approached the dock before impact. Tropic Ocean Airways confirmed the aircraft was involved in a mishap while taxiing and is cooperating with authorities. The Royal Bahamas Police Force continues to investigate the cause of the crash.
