A Kenmore Air floatplane carrying 11 people made an emergency landing and then caught fire on July 23 near Sucia Island in Washington state's San Juan Islands, prompting a large rescue response by emergency crews, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector of Puget Sound received a report at about 5:25 p.m. local time that a Kenmore Air seaplane had made an emergency landing in North Beach Shallow Bay before catching fire, the agency said in a statement on X. The aircraft had 11 people aboard, and all were accounted for, according to the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard said U.S., Canadian and local responders "launched multiple assets to assist with the rescue." Several people were being transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation
and treatment.
In a news release, Kenmore Air identified the aircraft as a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. The flight had departed from Lake Union in Seattle and was headed to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island when the aircraft went down at 5:15 p.m. local time near Sucia Island, according to the airline.
Kenmore Air said there were 10 passengers and one pilot on board, and that "everyone aboard has been accounted for." The airline said two injured passengers were being transported to medical facilities in Bellingham, Washington, and two others to Orcas Island of the San Juan Islands for treatment.
Multiple people sustained injuries "ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations," and at least one person was in critical condition, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
The company added that it had activated emergency response procedures and was working closely with the Coast Guard and local emergency responders. Responding agencies included the Coast Guard, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, Lopez Island Fire and Rescue, San Juan County Parks and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
"This evening one of our aircraft was involved in an accident near Sucia Island. We are grateful that everyone aboard has been accounted for, and our immediate focus is ensuring our passengers and pilot receive the care and support they need," Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said, adding that the company is "fully cooperating" with investigators.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed to USA TODAY that it was investigating the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating the incident.
The cause of the accident was not immediately known.
Sucia Island is part of the San Juan Islands, a popular boating and tourism destination in northwest Washington near the U.S.-Canada border. The San Juan Islands are an archipelago between Washington and Canada's Vancouver Island.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Seaplane carrying 11 people crashes near Washington's San Juan Islands
