Seaplane Crash Near Seattle Leaves 11 Safe After Swift Rescue

A seaplane carrying 11 individuals crashed into the rocky shoreline of Sucia Island, located north of Seattle, on Thursday evening. Fortunately, all passengers and the pilot were rescued and transported to local hospitals.

The incident occurred around 5:20 p.m., prompting a rapid response from emergency services. Initial reports from the San Juan County Sheriff's Office indicated that one person sustained critical injuries, while others suffered from head injuries, broken bones, and cuts. As of Friday, five of the passengers had been discharged from medical care.

Videos circulating on social media captured the moment of the crash, showing the aircraft struggling to maintain altitude before it landed awkwardly, first touching down on one float and then skidding onto land. Eyewitnesses rushed to assist those on board as smoke began to rise from the plane, which was quickly engulfed in flames.

The U.S. Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, which prompted several nearby vessels to assist in the rescue. All individuals aboard the plane were initially taken to two different hospitals for treatment.

As of Friday, two passengers were reported to be in satisfactory condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, while the pilot was taken to Skagit Valley Hospital. The exact condition of the pilot remains unclear.

The seaplane involved in the crash was identified as a DHC-3 Otter, manufactured by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada. This model had previously been involved in a tragic accident in 2022 that resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals. However, the operator of Thursday's flight, Kenmore Air, stated that their aircraft had passed all necessary inspections.

Kenmore Air, which is the largest operator of DHC-3 Otter planes in the Puget Sound area, has suspended all scheduled flights for Friday in light of the incident. The airline's CEO expressed gratitude that everyone on board was accounted for, while the Federal Aviation Administration announced it would conduct an investigation into the crash.

The flight had departed from Lake Union in Seattle and was en route to Roche Harbor Seaplane Base on San Juan Island, a popular destination known for its summer tourism activities.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).