The DeHavilland DHC-3 seaplane crashed near Sucia Island at around 5:20 p.m. local time while carrying 10 passengers and one pilot, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The US Coast Guard said all occupants were rescued following the crash, while the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported that several people suffered injuries, including head trauma, broken bones and lacerations. At least one person was in critical condition, according to ABC News.
Kenmore Air said the aircraft had departed from Seattle’s Lake Union. Four injured passengers were transported to hospitals, while the remaining passengers and the pilot were taken to the Bellingham Coast Guard Station.
The incident triggered a major emergency response involving the US Coast Guard and Navy.
Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said the company was focused on supporting the passengers and pilot and thanked emergency responders.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
Emergency crews responded Thursday after a Kenmore Air seaplane went down in the water near Sucia Island in San Juan County.
Kenmore Air said its de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, Flight 140, departed Lake Union in Seattle at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday en route to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island.
The aircraft was involved in an accident in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island at about 5:15 p.m., the airline said. The airline also confirmed there were 10 passengers and one pilot on board.
Orcas Island Fire & Rescue later confirmed that everyone aboard had been rescued and was receiving medical care or being transported from the scene. Kenmore Air said everyone on board has been accounted for.
According to the airline, two injured passengers were taken to a hospital in Bellingham, while two others were transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Seven additional passengers were taken to a U.S. Coast Guard base for further evaluation.
San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said one of the four injured passengers was being transported in critical condition.The U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency responders responded to the scene.
As first responders rushed to a plane crash off Sucia Island, San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter said multiple agencies, along with nearby civilians, quickly mobilized in a race to save everyone on board.
"It sounds dire at the moment when it's all evolving," Peter said. "These are rapidly evolving scenes. Preservation of life is our number one goal, and everybody was just rallying to get on the boat transports and get out there as quickly as we can."
Kenmore Air said it activated its emergency response procedures and is working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency responders. The airline said it is cooperating with investigators and will not speculate on the cause of the accident.
"This evening one of our aircraft was involved in an accident near Sucia Island," Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel said in a statement. "We are grateful that everyone aboard has been accounted for, and our immediate focus is ensuring our passengers and pilot receive the care and support they need. 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."
Peter said responding to emergencies in the San Juan Islands means crews must be ready to move quickly by boat or air at a moment's notice.
"That's what's a little bit different about doing cop work up here in the islands is we do have the boats, we are spread out, and we have to have that mentality every day. If something goes wrong in the air or on the ocean, we need to be able to get to our assets quickly and get out to the scenes to try to save as many people as we can."
The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
Kenmore Air canceled all scheduled flights Friday following Thursday's crash as the airline said it plans to focus on supporting the passengers, pilot, families, employees and emergency response efforts.