Overview
- A Tropic Ocean Airways 2014 Cessna 208B seaplane struck a dock while taxiing on Saturday, Aug. 1, rolled onto its side and later sank to about 100 feet of water.
- Nearby boaters and local rescuers evacuated eight passengers and two crew members before police arrived and all 10 U.S. citizens were reported uninjured.
- Police say the pilot diverted north to avoid heavy vessel traffic and then the aircraft began pulling left, did not respond to corrective inputs and collided with the dock.
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority of the Bahamas is leading an active probe with local police while Tropic Ocean Airways says it is cooperating and U.S. agencies are monitoring the inquiry.
- Investigators face technical and logistical challenges because the plane rests about 100 feet underwater and will examine pilot actions, control systems, float damage, water conditions and interactions with vessel traffic.