Full Breakdown
Kenmore Air Seaplane Crash Near Sucia Island
7/24/2026, 9:37:59 PM
Core Event
On July 23, 2026, a Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter departed Seattle’s Lake Union at about 4:30 p.m. for Roche Harbor. About 45 minutes later the aircraft made an emergency water landing in Shallow Bay off Sucia Island and caught fire. All 11 occupants—10 passengers and the pilot—were rescued from the water and accounted for.
Timeline
- 4:30 p.m. – Flight departs Lake Union.
- ~5:15 p.m. – Pilot executes emergency water landing.
- 5:25 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard receives the distress report and launches rescue assets.
- Shortly after – A civilian boat pulls several occupants from the water; Coast Guard, Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, and local fire-rescue units arrive.
- Evening – Injured passengers are taken to hospitals on Bellingham, Orcas Island, and Skagit County; Kenmore Air cancels flights for the next day.
Data & Statistics
- Occupants: 11 (10 passengers, 1 pilot).
- Injuries: Four passengers suffered head trauma, broken bones or lacerations; one remains in critical condition.
- Rescue assets: Coast Guard helicopter, Navy assets, Canadian Coast Guard vessels, and local fire-rescue teams.
Official Statements & Responses
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that all occupants were rescued and that environmental teams are assessing possible fuel or oil impacts. The NTSB and FAA have opened investigations into the cause of the ditching and fire.
On-the-Ground Reports
Video captured by on-looker Monica Scott shows the Otter wobbling low, striking the surface and erupting in flames. Witnesses on nearby pleasure craft reported pulling passengers onto their boats as the fire spread, a factor credited with preventing fatalities. Dispatch audio recorded multiple agencies coordinating rescue efforts, highlighting the multi-national response.
Why It Matters
The crash underscores the risks of over-water commuter aviation in the Pacific Northwest, where floatplanes link Seattle to the San Juan Islands. With Kenmore Air carrying over 90,000 passengers annually, the incident prompts scrutiny of aircraft maintenance, pilot training for ditching, and the adequacy of emergency response resources in remote maritime settings.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact time the Coast Guard received the distress call—some cite 5:20 p.m., others 5:25 p.m. The trigger for the emergency landing remains unidentified; investigators have not confirmed whether mechanical failure, weather, or pilot decision-making was primary. Further data from the NTSB’s report will be needed to resolve these gaps.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities, and we will continue providing verified information as it becomes available,” — CEO David Gudgel.
- “We are grateful that everyone aboard has been accounted for,” — CEO David Gudgel.
These statements reflect the airline’s cooperation and gratitude for the successful rescue.
