Emergency services confirmed that a Kenmore Air seaplane that departed Lake Union in Seattle performed an emergency water landing near Sucia Island in Washington state on the evening of the incident. The aircraft, identified as a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, came down in Shallow Bay at about 5:15 p.m. PDT (0015 GMT) and was later seen on fire in the water, according to imagery released by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard reported that all 11 people on board - 10 passengers and one pilot, as stated by Kenmore Air - were accounted for after search and rescue activity. Multiple rescue assets were deployed by the U.S. Coast Guard, in coordination with Canadian and local responders, to assist at the scene.
Medical transport followed the rescue operation. Kenmore Air said two injured passengers were taken to medical facilities in Bellingham for treatment, and two additional injured passengers were flown to Orcas Island for evaluation and care. The airline confirmed the total number of people aboard and said it is cooperating with authorities as they investigate the accident.
Kenmore Air's chief executive provided a short statement noting the company's cooperation with investigating authorities and its intention to share verified information as it becomes available. The airline, which was founded in 1946, reports carrying more than 90,000 passengers a year on scheduled, scenic and charter services.
Responders worked to secure the scene and transport injured individuals for medical attention. Beyond the immediate rescue and medical response, no additional operational or investigative details about the cause of the emergency landing or the sequence of events that led to the fire have been released by authorities at this time.
Context and immediate facts
- The aircraft involved was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter operated by Kenmore Air.
- The flight originated from Lake Union in Seattle and went down in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island at about 5:15 p.m. PDT.
- All 11 occupants were located after rescue operations; several were injured and transported to nearby hospitals.
This account is based on statements provided by the U.S. Coast Guard and Kenmore Air and on imagery released by responders. Authorities remain the lead entities for the ongoing investigation into the incident.