4 fatalities

Four-Engine Aircraft Crash into the Sea Off Bimini (N844TA)

Alice Town, BahamasTakeoff (climb)

On November 28, 1980, a Douglas DC-6 (registration N844TA) operated by Miami Air Lease was involved in an aviation accident near Alice Town, Bahamas during takeoff. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but an engine failure was suspected. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft crashed into the sea shortly after takeoff from Alice Town, Bimini, killing all four occupants. The exact cause was undetermined, though engine failure was suspected.

Incident Overview and Location Details A four-engine aircraft crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Alice Town, Bimini. The aircraft lost altitude during the initial climb phase and subsequently impacted the water. All four individuals on board were killed in the accident. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, operator, or exact date of the incident. ## Operational Context and Investigation Findings Investigators believed the crew was engaged in a drug smuggling flight at the time of the accident. The official investigation concluded that the exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, an engine failure was suspected as a contributing factor. No other specific technical or human factors were identified in the available source material.

Probable cause

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined but an engine failure was suspected.