Seaplane Crash in Puget Sound: All 11 Survive
A seaplane carrying 11 people crashed and caught fire near Seattle in the Puget Sound area on Thursday evening. Fortunately, all onboard survived, according to authorities.
Kenmore Air, the operator of the flight, stated that the aircraft involved was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. The plane had ten passengers and a pilot traveling from Seattle to Roche Harbor in the San Juan Islands. The accident occurred at approximately 5:15 p.m. local time in Shallow Bay, close to Sucia Island.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the rescue of all passengers from the water. The office reported that multiple individuals sustained injuries, with conditions ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations. One person was in critical condition. Thankfully, there were no fatalities reported so far.
At the scene, three airlift ambulances were present. First responders included the Coast Guard and local emergency teams who played a crucial role in rescue operations.
An eyewitness, Monica Scott, recorded the plane flying close to the water before crashing and igniting in flames. This footage showed the dramatic moments leading up to the crash.
The Coast Guard also provided video evidence of the burning aircraft. This visual confirmation added to the information provided by authorities.
Currently, no details are available on what led to the crash. Kenmore Air expressed that speculation about the accident’s cause would not be respectful to those involved. The CEO, David Gudgel, assured that the airline is fully cooperating with the authorities investigating the incident and will deliver verified updates as they become available.
Kenmore Air describes itself as the largest seaplane airline in the U.S. It operates flights throughout the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia. Additionally, it runs a wheeled aircraft service named Kenmore Air Express.
Shallow Bay, where the crash occurred, is located at the northwestern tip of Sucia Island State Park in Washington, near the Canadian border.