Sucia Island, United States: A Kenmore Air seaplane carrying 11 people made an emergency landing in the waters near Sucia Island in Washington state on Thursday before catching fire, with all passengers and the pilot accounted for following a multi-agency rescue operation.
The incident involved a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter that had departed from Lake Union in Seattle. According to Kenmore Air, the aircraft was involved in an accident in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island at around 5:15 p.m. PDT on July 23, or approximately 0015 GMT on July 24.
The U.S. Coast Guard said the aircraft made an emergency landing before catching fire. An image released by the Coast Guard showed the seaplane burning while in the water at the crash site.
Sucia Island is part of Washington state’s San Juan Islands, an archipelago located north of Seattle and close to the Canadian border.
The Coast Guard said multiple assets were deployed to support the rescue effort, with Canadian and local responders also joining the operation. Several people were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment.
Kenmore Air confirmed that 10 passengers and one pilot were aboard the aircraft. The airline said two injured passengers were transported to medical facilities in Bellingham, while another two injured passengers were taken to Orcas Island for evaluation and treatment. Seven additional passengers were taken to a U.S. Coast Guard base for further evaluation.
Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said “the airline was grateful that everyone aboard had been accounted for and that its immediate priority was supporting the passengers and pilot. He thanked the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency responders, adding that the airline was cooperating fully with investigating authorities and would provide verified updates as they become available.”
The cause of the accident has not been disclosed. The incident remains under investigation by the relevant authorities.
Founded in 1946, Kenmore Air describes itself as the largest U.S. seaplane airline. According to information on the company’s website, the airline carries more than 90,000 passengers each year through scheduled, scenic and charter operations.
