Plane carrying 11 catches fire after emergency crash landing off Washington island

SUCIA ISLAND, WASHINGTON: A Kenmore Air floatplane carrying 10 passengers and a pilot burst into flames after making an emergency landing in the waters off Sucia Island on Thursday evening, July 23, leaving several people injured, including one in critical condition. 

Despite the terrifying crash and the fire that quickly engulfed the aircraft, officials confirmed that everyone on board survived.

Video from the scene showed the single-engine plane torn apart and completely consumed by flames as it floated just a short distance from the island's rocky shoreline.

Floatplane caught fire moments after attempting emergency landing

According to the US Coast Guard, the de Havilland DHC-3 single-engine bush plane went down in Shallow Bay at around 5:15 pm local time, roughly 45 minutes after taking off from Seattle.

The aircraft had been headed to Roche Harbor when it was forced to attempt an emergency landing on the water.

Officials said the floatplane caught fire shortly after touching down.

Video captured at the scene showed the wrecked aircraft engulfed in flames while floating on the water.

Although the damage appeared severe, rescue crews confirmed that all 10 passengers and the pilot had been safely accounted for.

Authorities said one person remained in critical condition, while others suffered injuries ranging from head trauma to broken bones and lacerations.

Rescue crews rushed injured passengers to nearby hospitals

Emergency responders from several agencies quickly arrived at the crash site to assist those on board.

According to officials, two injured passengers were transported by the Coast Guard to a hospital in Bellingham, about a 20-minute boat ride from the crash site.

Two others were taken to nearby Orcas Island for further medical evaluation and treatment.

Orcas Island Fire and Rescue later confirmed that its crews worked alongside the Coast Guard and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office during the emergency response.

Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said he was relieved that everyone aboard had been found.

"Our immediate focus is ensuring our passengers and pilot receive the care and support they need," Gudgel said. "We extend our sincere thanks to the United States Coast Guard, local emergency responders, and everyone assisting in the response. Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities, and we will continue providing verified information as it becomes available."

Federal investigators are working to determine what caused the crash

The cause of the emergency landing and the fire remains unknown.

Authorities confirmed that both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the incident.

At the time of the crash, thunderstorms were moving through the area. National Weather Service meteorologist Harrison Rademacher said wind gusts ranged between 12 and 20 mph, while visibility remained at around 10 miles.

Kenmore Air, which owns the aircraft, is the largest seaplane operator in the United States, transporting more than 90,000 passengers each year to destinations across the Pacific Northwest and Canada.

As investigators continue examining the wreckage, officials are working to determine what forced the floatplane into an emergency landing and why it caught fire moments later.