Floatplane catches fire after emergency landing near Sucia Island
The U.S. Coast Guard said a Kenmore Air seaplane carrying 11 people made an emergency landing near Sucia Island in Washington state’s San Juan Islands on July 23 and then caught fire, prompting a massive rescue response by emergency crews.
The agency received a report from the U.S. Coast Guard Puget Sound Sector around 5:25 p.m. local time that a Kenmore Air seaplane made an emergency landing in Shallow Bay before catching fire. he said in a statement In X. According to the Coast Guard, there were 11 people on the plane and they were all counted.
The Coast Guard said U.S., Canadian and local responders “mobilized multiple assets to assist in the rescue.” Multiple people were transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment.
One newsletterKenmore Air identified the aircraft as a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter. According to the airline, the flight had departed Lake Union in Seattle and was heading to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island when the plane crashed near Sucia Island at 5:15 p.m. local time.
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Kenmore Air said there were 10 passengers and a pilot on board and that “the condition of everyone on board has been determined.” The airline said two injured passengers were transported to medical facilities in Bellingham, Washington, and two other passengers were transported to Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands for treatment.
Multiple people suffered injuries “ranging from head injuries to broken bones and lacerations” and at least one person was in critical condition. San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
The Coast Guard told USA TODAY that the plane caught fire after the emergency landing and is now “resting on rocks on Sucia Island.” The Coast Guard’s environmental response staff is working with partner agencies to assess potential environmental impacts.
Kenmore Air said it has activated emergency response procedures and is working closely with the Coast Guard and local emergency responders. Responding agencies included the Coast Guard. San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Orcas Island Fire and RescueLopez Island Fire and Rescue, San Juan County Parks and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
“Tonight, one of our aircraft was involved in an accident near Sucia Island. We are grateful that the names of everyone on board were released, and our immediate focus is to ensure our passengers and pilots receive the care and support they need,” Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said, adding that the company was “fully cooperating” with investigators.
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The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed to USA TODAY that it is investigating the incident. Federal Aviation Administration is also researching.
The cause of the crash was not immediately known.
Founded in 1946, Kenmore Air is the largest seaplane airline in the United States, flying more than 90,000 passengers annually on scheduled, scenic and charter flights, according to the company’s news release and charter flights. website.
Sucia Island is part of the San Juan Islands, a popular boating and tourism destination northwest of Washington near the U.S.-Canada border. The San Juan Islands are an archipelago between Washington and Canada’s Vancouver Island.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Seaplane caught fire after making an emergency landing near Sucia Island
