11 Survive After Kenmore Air Floatplane Crashes in Washington State

All passengers and pilot accounted for following DHC-3 Otter accident in San Juan Islands.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, July 24, 2026 at 10:35 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

All 11 occupants of a Kenmore Air floatplane survived after it crashed and caught fire near Sucia Island in Washington state.
Injuries sustained by the passengers and pilot ranged from cuts and bruises to broken bones, requiring hospitalization.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident, leading Kenmore Air to cancel subsequent flights to focus on supporting those affected.

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All 11 people aboard a Kenmore Air floatplane survived after the aircraft crashed Thursday near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands in Washington state.

A boater caught the approach of the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter on video. The aircraft comes in low over the water, crossing from left to right in the frame, the wings rocking slightly. The aircraft goes out of frame to the right behind terrain, and a loud crash is heard. The video picks up again from another angle and shows the burning airplane up against the shoreline, black smoke billowing from the wreckage.