A Kenmore Air seaplane crash-landed off the coast of Sucia Island in Washington state on Thursday, July 24, prompting a major rescue operation. All 11 people aboard—10 passengers and one pilot—are accounted for, with four taken to hospitals with serious injuries.
Crash Details
The aircraft departed Lake Union at approximately 4:30 p.m. local time, bound for Roche Harbour on San Juan Island. It went down near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands shortly before 5:30 p.m., about 87 nautical miles from Seattle. Dense smoke was seen billowing from the area after the crash, and substantial thunderstorms were reported in the region.
Rescue Response
The US Coast Guard, Airlift North West, and multiple local agencies responded, including Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, Lopez Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan County Parks, and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. A US Coast Guard representative confirmed: "The aircraft had a reported 11 people aboard, and all are accounted for. United States Coast Guard, Canadian and local responders launched multiple assets to assist with the rescue. Several patients are being transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment."
Injuries and Investigation
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office reported one person is in critical condition, with injuries ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations. The aircraft type and cause of the incident have not been officially identified, but FlightRadar data suggests it may have been a Kenmore Air DHC-3 Otter floatplane, registration N709KA.
