Key Takeaways
- A Kenmore Air DHC‑3 Otter seaplane made an emergency landing on Shallow Bay near Sucia Island and caught fire, injuring multiple occupants.
- All 11 occupants were accounted for; two passengers were seriously injured and transported to hospitals in Bellingham and Orcas Island.
- Local, state, and Canadian agencies—including the Coast Guard, fire departments from surrounding islands, and park rangers—coordinated a rapid multi‑asset rescue.
- The aircraft, registered to Kenmore Air, departed Seattle’s Lake Union and was headed to Roche Harbor when the incident occurred at 5:15 p.m. local time.
- The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have opened investigations; the cause remains undetermined.
- Kenmore Air, the nation’s largest seaplane carrier, confirmed full cooperation with investigators and pledged support for passengers and crew.
Incident Overview and Immediate Response
On the afternoon of July 23, 2026, a Kenmore Air floatplane carrying eleven occupants experienced an emergency landing in Shallow Bay, located near Sucia Island in Washington’s San Juan Islands. The aircraft, a de Havilland DHC‑3 Otter, caught fire shortly after touching down, forcing responders to confront both the crash site and a subsequent blaze that left the plane wedged against coastal rocks. The U.S. Coast Guard Sector of Puget Sound logged the incident at approximately 5:25 p.m. local time and immediately mobilized a coordinated rescue effort that involved multiple agencies from the United States, Canada, and local jurisdictions.
Casualties and Medical Evacuations
Authorities confirmed that all eleven passengers and crew members were accounted for, though several sustained injuries ranging from head trauma and broken bones to lacerations. Two passengers were flown to medical facilities in Bellingham, Washington, while two others were taken to Orcas Island for treatment. At least one individual remained in critical condition, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Emergency medical services from the surrounding islands assisted in triaging and transporting the injured, ensuring that each victim received timely care.
Rescue Operations and Agency Coordination
The rescue operation featured a broad coalition of responders, including the U.S. 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. Canadian agencies also contributed assets to the effort, underscoring the trans‑border nature of emergency response in the San Juan archipelago. These teams deployed boats, helicopters, and specialized equipment to access the remote landing site, contain the fire, and secure the aircraft for later investigation.
Statements from Kenmore Air and Leadership
Kenmore Air issued a formal news release identifying the aircraft and providing details of the flight’s itinerary—having departed from Seattle’s Lake Union en route to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. CEO David Gudgel expressed relief that all occupants had been accounted for and emphasized the company’s immediate focus on supporting passengers and the pilot. He affirmed that Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with investigators and will assist in any way needed to determine the accident’s cause and to aid those affected.
Investigative Efforts and Oversight
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have opened investigations to ascertain the factors that led to the emergency landing and subsequent fire. At this stage, the precise cause of the incident remains undetermined, and investigators are expected to examine possible mechanical failures, environmental conditions, human factors, and any other relevant data recorded by the aircraft’s flight and cockpit voice recorders.
Historical Context of Kenmore Air and the San Juan Islands
Kenmore Air, founded in 1946, operates as the largest seaplane airline in the United States, transporting over 90,000 passengers annually across scheduled, scenic, and charter flights. The company’s extensive experience in frontier aviation underscores the significance of this accident within its otherwise exemplary safety record. Sucia Island, part of the San Juan Islands archipelago, is a popular destination for boating, kayaking, and tourism, located near the U.S.–Canada border and renowned for its rugged natural beauty.
Environmental Considerations and Ongoing Assessment
Coast Guard environmental response personnel have been engaged to evaluate any potential ecological impacts stemming from the fire and the release of fuel or other hazardous materials. In collaboration with state and local partners, they are conducting assessments to mitigate any harm to the surrounding marine and shoreline ecosystems, which are ecologically sensitive and integral to the region’s biodiversity.
Summary of Findings to Date
While the precise cause of the Kenmore Air seaplane crash remains under investigation, the swift and organized response demonstrated by multiple agencies successfully accounted for all occupants, managed injuries, and began to contain the fire’s environmental footprint. The incident highlights the inherent risks of floatplane operations in island terrain and underscores the importance of robust emergency preparedness and inter‑agency coordination in remote maritime settings.