A seaplane carrying 11 individuals crashed in the Puget Sound area north of Seattle. All passengers survived the incident. The crash occurred Thursday evening.
Kenmore Air confirmed a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter was involved in the accident. The plane carried ten passengers and a pilot from Seattle to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands. The crash happened around 5:15 p.m. local time in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office stated that everyone aboard was rescued from the water. Passengers sustained injuries ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations. One individual remains in critical condition; however, no fatalities reported.
Three airlift ambulances arrived at the scene. First responders included the Coast Guard and local emergency personnel.
“Out of respect for those involved, we will not speculate regarding the cause of the accident,” Kenmore Air announced in a statement.
The incident was captured on video by onlooker Monica Scott. The footage showed the plane flying low and then crashing, bursting into flames. The Coast Guard also released video of the aircraft in flames.
Kenmore Air’s CEO, David Gudgel, stated the company is working closely with investigating authorities. The company will provide verified information when available.
Shallow Bay lies at the northern tip of Sucia Island State Park, located in the San Juan Islands of Washington. This area is north of Seattle and near the Canadian border.
Kenmore Air, the largest seaplane airline in the United States, operates flights throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. They also manage a wheeled aircraft operation known as Kenmore Air Express.
