Seaplane Crashed in the San Juan Islands Thursday, All 11 Rescued

A Kenmore Air floatplane with 10 passengers and one pilot went down in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands yesterday evening and caught fire.

Somehow everyone aboard survived.

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Kenmore Air Flight 140, a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, departed Lake Union in Seattle at approximately 4:30 PM headed to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. The aircraft went down at 5:15 PM near Sucia Island.

Seaplane Rescue in the San Juan Islands Unfolded in Real Time

The San Juan County Sheriff's Office said multiple agencies helped, and regular civilians quickly stepped in to save everyone on board.

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue, Lopez Island Fire and Rescue, San Juan County Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office were all part of the rescue effort.

Where Things Stood This Morning

All eleven people onboard were rescued before the aircraft was engulfed by flames, although four suffered serious injuries requiring hospitalization. One person is reportedly in critical condition.

Six passengers were transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, four to PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor, and the pilot to Skagit Valley Hospital. By Friday morning, seven of the 10 passengers had been discharged.

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Kenmore Air canceled all flights Friday, and both the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations.