Kenmore Air Plane Crash-Lands Near Sucia Island, 11 Accounted For
Four individuals hospitalised with serious injuries following seaplane incident in Shallow Bay.
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
A Kenmore Air plane crash-landed near Sucia Island in Washington state on Thursday, with all 11 people on board now accounted for.
Four individuals sustained serious injuries, including head trauma, broken bones, and lacerations, requiring transport to medical facilities in Bellingham and Orcas Island. The San Juan County Sheriff's Office confirmed these critical injuries.
A US Coastguard spokesperson verified the immediate aftermath, stating, "Several patients are being transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment."
Several patients are being transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment.
The US Coast Guard, alongside Canadian and local responders, deployed multiple assets to the scene, including multiple vessels and air support. Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, and Lopez Island Fire & Rescue actively participated in the harrowing rescue efforts.
US Coastguard and Airlift North West units operated in the area, coordinating seamlessly with San Juan County Parks and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. This integrated response involved assets from three counties and two nations.
Initial reports indicated 10 people aboard the Kenmore Air DHC-3 Otter floatplane, registration N736KU. However, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue later reported 11 patients involved, a figure the US Coastguard corroborated.
A US Coastguard spokesperson definitively stated, "The aircraft had a reported 11 people aboard, and all are accounted for."
The aircraft had a reported 11 people aboard, and all are accounted for.
Thunderstorms were present in the vicinity at the time of the crash, with other accounts suggesting substantial thunderstorms in the area when the plane went down. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration launched immediate investigations into the incident, which occurred on Thursday, July 24, just before 5:30 pm local time.
This incident impacts seaplane operations connecting the numerous islands of the San Juan archipelago, a vital transportation link for residents and tourists. The immediate, coordinated response from multiple agencies, including international partners, involved over 50 personnel and 10 vessels.
The robust emergency protocols in place activated swiftly, with rescue teams reaching the scene within 30 minutes of the distress call. The ongoing investigations by the NTSB and FAA will determine the exact cause of the crash.
These findings could lead to significant operational adjustments for seaplane services across the Pacific Northwest, impacting an industry vital to island communities and tourism, which generates over $200 million annually. The focus remains on the recovery of the injured and a thorough examination of all contributing factors to the accident.