A seaplane crash and subsequent fire occurred during an emergency landing on the shore of Sucia Island near the B.C.-Washington border on Thursday evening, as confirmed by U.S. officials. Emergency response teams from both countries were mobilized following the incident.
Upon arrival, first responders found that several recreational boaters had already rescued the pilot and 10 passengers from the wreckage of the Kenmore Air plane. Nathan Butler, a member of the San Juan Island EMS command staff, commended the boaters for their quick action in providing aid and comfort to the injured individuals.
Notably, two of the boaters happened to be an off-duty medic and trauma nurse, who played a crucial role in stabilizing the patients before they were transported to nearby hospitals by boat and air lift. The San Juan County Sheriff’s office reported a range of injuries among the passengers, including broken bones, lacerations, and head injuries. While one individual was in critical condition, there were no reported fatalities.
Kenmore Air stated that the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter aircraft, which took off from Lake Union, Seattle, was involved in an accident around 5:15 p.m. PT on Thursday. CEO David Gudgel expressed gratitude for the safe accounting of all passengers and crew, emphasizing the company’s focus on providing necessary care and support.
Following the incident, all scheduled flights for Friday were canceled by Kenmore Air, with no speculation offered on the accident’s cause. The U.S. Coast Guard is currently investigating the circumstances leading to the emergency landing and subsequent fire.
In response to the crash, various emergency services, including the Canadian Coast Guard ship Siyay and B.C. Air Ambulance, along with U.S. Coast Guard and Washington state agencies, were deployed. BCEHS confirmed that multiple air ambulances and critical care teams were placed on standby but were ultimately not required for the response.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported that contractors hired by Kenmore Air successfully removed the aircraft from the crash site, revealing that the plane had approximately 100 gallons (nearly 380 liters) of fuel onboard. While a minor sheen was detected on the water, officials confirmed it posed no significant environmental threat or navigational hazard.