Full Breakdown
Kenmore Air DHC-3 Otter Crashes Near Sucia Island; All 11 Onboard Rescued
7/25/2026, 3:21:00 AM
Core Event
A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter carrying a pilot and ten passengers made an emergency landing in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island in the San Juan archipelago on Thursday evening. The aircraft struck the water, caught fire and came to rest partially submerged against a large rock. All 11 occupants were rescued by nearby vessels and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.
Background & Context
The DHC-3 Otter is a long-standing seaplane used for tourism and charter flights in the Pacific Northwest. A similar Otter operated by another Seattle-area airline crashed in Puget Sound in 2022, prompting federal inspections that later identified a critical flight-control component failure. Kenmore Air, founded in 1946, is the largest U.S. seaplane operator and includes the Otter in its fleet.
Data & Statistics
- Occupants: 11 (pilot + 10 passengers)
- Survivors: 11, all accounted for
- Injuries: multiple, including head injuries, broken bones and lacerations; three remained hospitalized as of Friday, with one previously listed as critical now in satisfactory condition
- Rescue assets: several pleasure boats, a U.S. Coast Guard Dolphin helicopter, and a Canadian hovercraft
Official Statements & Responses
- U.S. Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and dispatched a helicopter.
- Kenmore Air said it would not speculate on the cause, cancelled all scheduled flights for Friday, and pledged full cooperation with investigators.
- Kenmore spokesperson Aaron Blank confirmed three occupants remained hospitalized.
- San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter praised the rapid response of civilian boats.
- NTSB announced wreckage would be recovered and moved to a secure site for examination; a preliminary report is expected in about a month.
- FAA verified the crash occurred near Sucia Island at approximately 5:20 p.m. local time.
On-the-Ground Reports
Eyewitness Dave Eastman, in a nearby dinghy, said he saw the plane fly low toward the island amid a storm with lightning and heavy rain. He noted six or seven boats raced to assist, describing the hard landing, the ensuing fire, and the evacuation of passengers onto the water.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Time of crash: The Seattle Times placed the emergency landing at about 5:15 p.m., while the FAA and other outlets reported roughly 5:20 p.m.
- Cause: No definitive cause has been identified; investigators have not yet accessed the flight-control component that failed in the 2022 accident, and the NTSB has not dispatched an on-scene investigator.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are grateful that everyone aboard has been accounted for,” — Kenmore CEO David Gudgel
What’s Next
The NTSB plans to recover the aircraft wreckage on Friday and will issue a preliminary safety report within a month. A comprehensive final report, which could take a year or more, will aim to determine the precise factors that led to the emergency landing and fire. Kenmore Air will continue to provide verified updates as the investigation proceeds.
