All Eleven Passengers and Pilot Rescued After Kenmore Air Seaplane Makes Emergency Landing and Catches Fire Near Sucia Island in Washington

SEO Title: Kenmore Air Seaplane Incident Sucia Island (2026)
Meta Description: A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter seaplane carrying 11 people made an emergency landing and caught fire near Sucia Island, resulting in a successful rescue.
Slug: kenmore-air-seaplane-crash-sucia-island-washington-2026
Standfirst: All eleven people onboard a Kenmore Air seaplane have been rescued safely after the aircraft performed an emergency landing and subsequently caught fire in Shallow Bay, Washington.

Successful Water Evacuation

The emergency response involved multiple regional maritime and search-and-rescue agencies to retrieve the passengers and pilot.

The accident occurred on July 23, 2026, in the waters off Sucia Island in San Juan County, Washington.

The flight, operated by Pacific Northwest seaplane specialist Kenmore Air, had departed from Seattle’s Lake Union area and was traveling toward Roche Harbor. The single-engine de Havilland DHC-3 Otter carried 10 passengers and one pilot. Following the emergency landing, the aircraft caught fire, but rapid intervention by local boating crews and emergency responders ensured all occupants were safely located and evacuated.

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Incident & Aircraft Parameters

• Aircraft Type: Single-engine de Havilland DHC-3 Otter seaplane.
• Operating Airline: Kenmore Air, based in Washington state.
• Flight Path: Seattle Lake Union (LKE) to Roche Harbor (RCE).
• Incident Site: Shallow Bay near Sucia Island, San Juan County, Washington.
• Passenger Count: 11 people total (10 passengers and one pilot).
• Rescue Status: All 11 occupants rescued with no fatalities reported.

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Passenger Rights, Evacuation Injuries & Luggage Payouts (Information Gain)

Passengers involved in regional seaplane and charter incidents have specific consumer rights:

• US DOT Passenger Rights: Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, passengers involved in an aircraft accident are entitled to immediate medical evaluation and emergency support arranged by the airline. If luggage is lost, damaged, or destroyed during an aircraft fire, the carrier is responsible for providing baggage liability compensation up to the regulatory limit.
• Emergency Medical Support: First responders provide immediate medical checks at the rescue site. Passengers should retain all medical reports if further evaluation is required after returning home.
• Charter Ticket Rebooking: If you are booked on a connecting segment with another airline, notify the carrier immediately. Under interline agreements, carriers may waive modification fees, though regional seaplane operations often require independent ticketing.

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Industry Analyst View

Our analysis indicates that the successful rescue of all 11 occupants on the DHC-3 Otter highlights the efficiency of the Pacific Northwest’s maritime rescue network.

Because seaplane flights in Washington operate over remote island channels (like Roche Harbor and Sucia Island), carriers rely on immediate inter-agency coordination between local first responders, the US Coast Guard, and federal investigators. While the DHC-3 Otter remains the workhorse of regional aviation, the subsequent fire indicates a critical engine or fuel system failure that will face intense NTSB scrutiny, potentially leading to fleet-wide maintenance checks.

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Data Tables

1. Kenmore Air DHC-3 Otter Incident Summary (23 July 2026)

Operational Parameter	Verified Information	Relevance to Regional Aviation
Aircraft Model	de Havilland DHC-3 Otter seaplane	Standard utility floatplane for regional routes
Total Occupants	11 (10 Passengers, 1 Pilot)	Maximum load capability for island connections
Departure Point	Seattle Lake Union (LKE)	Primary seaplane terminal in downtown Seattle
Target Destination	Roche Harbor (RCE)	Tourism and residential hub in San Juan Islands
Emergency Landing Site	Shallow Bay near Sucia Island	San Juan County coastal waters
Rescue Outcome	100% Accounted For (0 Fatalities)	Demonstrates effective local boating response

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Key Takeaways

• All Saved: All 11 people onboard were rescued safely after the seaplane landing.
• Lake Union Flight: The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter was flying from Seattle to Roche Harbor.
• Aircraft Fire: The seaplane caught fire after descending into Shallow Bay.
• NTSB Probe: Federal aviation investigators will review the airframe to determine the cause.

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FAQ

Where did the Kenmore Air seaplane crash occur?

The emergency water landing and subsequent fire occurred in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island in San Juan County, Washington.

How many people were on the flight?

The aircraft was carrying ten passengers and one pilot, all of whom were safely rescued.

Are seaplanes equipped with emergency life vests?

Yes, FAA regulations require seaplanes operating over water to carry life vests for every passenger and crew member.

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