Jeanne O'Brien, one of eight American passengers on a Cessna 208B, described the plane "going down pretty fast" after it struck a dock near North Bimini on Aug. 1, 2026. Interior and bystander videos captured the moments before and after the seaplane ended up on its side and partially submerged. All 10 people on board were rescued with no reported injuries. Bahamian authorities and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority have opened an inquiry while Tropic Ocean Airways and the U.S. State Department cooperate and monitor the situation.
American Passenger Recounts Dramatic Rescue After Seaplane Slams Into Dock Near North Bimini
Christy Davoudpour - PHOTO: Video from Christy Davoudpour shows a Cessna seaplane crash on Aug. 1, 2026, near the Bahamas.
An American tourist is speaking after a Cessna 208B seaplane struck a dock near a resort in North Bimini and ended up partly submerged on Aug. 1, 2026. All 10 people on board — eight American passengers and two crew members — were rescued and no injuries were reported.
Passenger Account and Onboard Video
Jeanne O'Brien, one of the American passengers, told ABC News the aircraft "went down pretty fast." Interior footage captured by passenger Eloidis Cantillo shows the tense moments in the cabin just before the collision.
"All of a sudden the dock started getting closer and closer, and one of the people in the plane behind me said, 'Where are you going?' And then it just was 'boom,' and it hit," O'Brien recalled.
What Happened
Bahamas police say the small seaplane was attempting to take off Saturday morning when it encountered boat traffic. The pilot reportedly turned north looking for a safer route, but while taxiing the aircraft began pulling to the left and, despite attempts to correct it, struck a dock adjacent to the resort.
Rescue and Aftermath
Nearby boat operator Nick Pavlakis rushed to assist. "Copilot comes off, pilot is getting everything off of the plane … he got off of the plane just as it started to roll and it eventually rolled, sat on the bottom where it still is today," Pavlakis told ABC affiliate WPBF. Bystander video from Christy Davoudpour shows the 2014 Cessna on its side with a wing in the water before becoming partially submerged.
Investigation
The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority and Bahamian authorities have opened an inquiry to determine the cause and sequence of events. Tropic Ocean Airways, operator of the aircraft, said the plane was "involved in a mishap while taxiing before departure" and that the company is cooperating fully with authorities. ABC News aviation analyst John Nance said investigators will examine the captain's handling of the aircraft and consider all possibilities, a process that typically takes time.
The U.S. State Department said it is in contact with local authorities and is closely monitoring developments. Authorities continue to review video footage and interview witnesses as they piece together a timeline of the incident.
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