All 11 Survive Fiery Kenmore Air Crash Near Sucia Island

A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter seaplane carrying 11 people crashed in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island in Washington’s San Juan Islands on July 23. The aircraft was flying from Seattle’s Lake Union to Roche Harbor when it struck the water and then caught fire. Remarkably, all 11 people on board survived the impact and the flames that followed. Nearby boaters rushed to the scene and carried out rapid rescues that proved critical in the chaotic moments after the crash.

Multiple passengers suffered injuries ranging from head trauma and broken bones to lacerations, with one person initially listed in critical condition. The pilot had altered course in response to worsening weather shortly before the accident. The 1960-manufactured aircraft had undergone recent maintenance inspections, according to available information. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have launched investigations into the cause of the crash.

The survival of everyone on board stands out as a testament to quick civilian action and the resilience of those involved. Emergency responders and good Samaritans worked together to get the injured to medical care as quickly as possible. As investigators examine weather conditions, flight data, and the aircraft’s history, the focus remains on the recovery of the passengers and pilot who lived through a terrifying ordeal.