Kenmore Air seaplane crashes in Washington State; all 11 occupants rescued

A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter seaplane (registration N709KA) carrying 11 people on flight KEN140 between Seattle-Lake Union SPB and Roche Harbor Airport made an emergency landing near Sucia Island in Washington State before catching fire, but all passengers and the pilot were rescued.

The aircraft, which had departed from Lake Union in Seattle, came down in Shallow Bay in the San Juan Islands at around 17:15 local time. Coast Guard, Canadian and local emergency responders, assisted by several nearby vessels, launched a rescue operation after the aircraft ended up in the water.

The 10 passengers and one pilot were all accounted for, although several people suffered injuries including head trauma, fractures and lacerations. Six passengers were taken to a hospital in Bellingham, while others, including the pilot, were transported to medical facilities for evaluation and treatment.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have opened investigations into the cause of the accident. Kenmore Air cancelled all scheduled flights the following day as it focused on supporting passengers, families and emergency response teams.

Founded in 1946, Kenmore Air is the largest seaplane airline in the United States, operating scheduled, scenic and charter flights in the Pacific Northwest.