Seaplane Inferno — Coast Guard Storms In

A tourist seaplane made an emergency water landing near Sucia Island, caught fire, and all 11 aboard were rescued, with several hurt.

Story Highlights

All 11 people aboard the Kenmore Air seaplane were rescued after an emergency landing near Sucia Island.
The aircraft caught fire after the water landing; several passengers suffered serious injuries.
The U.S. Coast Guard led a multi-agency rescue and is supporting the federal investigation.
Investigators are working to recover wreckage and learn what caused the incident.

Emergency Landing And Rescue Near Sucia Island

U.S. Coast Guard responders said a Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter carrying ten passengers and one pilot made an emergency water landing in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island on Thursday evening. All 11 people were accounted for after a rapid rescue on the water. The aircraft caught fire after the landing. Coast Guard crews, local responders, and Canadian partners rushed to the scene and pulled survivors from the water during the early evening response.

Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound reported receiving the first call at about 5:25 p.m. local time and immediately launched search and rescue boats and aircraft. The service broadcasted a notice to mariners to help locate and assist the victims in the bay. The joint response included United States Navy, Canadian, and local agencies, following standard protocols for marine aviation emergencies in the busy San Juan Islands corridor near the United States–Canada border.

Injuries, Hospital Care, And Condition Updates

Local reports said multiple passengers suffered serious injuries during the crash sequence and the post-landing fire. At least one person was listed in critical condition in early updates from local media partners. Others were treated at nearby hospitals after transport from the scene. Officials did not release names, pending patient privacy and family notification. Rescue crews credited quick actions by boaters and first responders for preventing loss of life in the cold and fast-moving water.

Kenmore Air confirmed the aircraft involved was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter operating a short-haul regional flight. Company statements indicated immediate cooperation with authorities and support for passengers and their families. As is standard after an aviation incident with injuries, federal investigators moved to secure and document the wreckage. Recovery teams planned to move debris to a safe location for a detailed mechanical and structural review once conditions allowed.

What Investigators Will Examine Next

Federal investigators typically start with the pilot’s account, flight track data, and any maintenance records. Teams then compare physical evidence from the aircraft with weather data and witness video to find the failure chain. Officials in this case said the cause remained under review. That process often takes weeks or months. Early facts about the rescue are solid, while the technical explanation will follow later after lab tests and interviews are complete.

A Kenmore Air seaplane carrying 11 people crashed near Sucia Island, Washington, and caught fire following an emergency water landing.
Everyone aboard survived and was rescued, though several people were injured, including one critically.#washington #aviation #breakingnews #news pic.twitter.com/P5aLLF7I2H

— Join 30s (@join30s) July 25, 2026

For travelers and families who rely on short regional flights in the Pacific Northwest, this is a sober reminder that training and quick response save lives. The Coast Guard and local partners did their jobs fast, and it showed. While the investigation continues, passengers deserve honest answers, not spin. Facts, accountability, and strong safety standards protect the public far better than showy rules that ignore real-world operations on the water and in the air.