Seaplane crashes into island north of Seattle, all 11 people rescued

Key Points:

• A seaplane carrying 11 people crashed and caught fire on Sucia Island near Washington’s border with Canada, but all passengers and the pilot were rescued and taken to hospitals with injuries including head trauma and broken bones.
• The crash occurred around 5:20 p.m. Thursday amid a storm, with witnesses and nearby boats quickly assisting in the evacuation before the plane was engulfed in flames.
• The aircraft was a DHC-3 Otter operated by Kenmore Air, the largest U.S. seaplane operator, flying from Seattle to Roche Harbor; this model was involved in a fatal crash in 2022 prompting federal inspections.
• The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident, with wreckage recovery underway and a preliminary report expected in about a month, while the airline suspended flights and is cooperating with authorities.
• The cause of the crash remains unknown, and investigators will review pilot and witness interviews along with video footage to determine what happened.