A Kenmore Air aircraft carrying at least 10 people crashed into the waters near Sucia Island in Washington's San Juan Islands on Thursday, triggering a major rescue effort by the U.S. Coast Guard and local emergency response agencies.
Although the aircraft crashed into the water and reportedly caught fire after landing, authorities confirmed that all of the passengers survived. Some of the passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for precautionary medical evaluation.
According to Kenmore Air, the aircraft left Seattle's Lake Union at 4:30 p.m. local time and was heading towards Roche Harbor on San Juan Island when the incident happened.
Emergency crews were alerted after reports emerged of an aircraft down in the water near North Beach Shallow Bay, off Sucia Island. Kenmore Air said 10 people were aboard the flight. But Orcas Island Fire & Rescue initially reported that the number could be as high as 11, and officials stressed that the passenger count was preliminary in the early stages of the rescue operation.
The identities of the passengers were not disclosed yet. The aircraft involved was not disclosed in the incident, either.
Aircraft Makes Emergency Landing Before Catching Fire
The United States Coast Guard Northwest District said that the aircraft made an emergency landing at North Beach Shallow Bay. The plane subsequently caught fire, prompting fire-fighting and rescue teams in the San Juan Islands to rush to the scene.
The Coast Guard also said it received the distress report at around 5:25 pm and quickly launched rescue assets. Canadian emergency responders and local agencies also joined the operation.
Officials later confirmed that all occupants were accounted for and safely evacuated from the plane.
Several passengers were transported to hospitals for further assessments. The officials did not immediately say how many people were injured but could not immediately mention if any injuries were sustained.
The rescue response was organized by various agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, Lopez Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan County Parks, and San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
Investigation Into Crash Underway
The exact reason for the incident is still unknown. So far, nobody knows why the aircraft was forced to land in the water near Sucia Island.
The NTSB and FAA will investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash and emergency landing. Investigators will probably focus on the aircraft’s condition, flight operations, weather conditions, and events leading up to the landing.
The incident briefly disrupted activity around the island as emergency workers secured the area, helped passengers, and dealt with the aircraft fire.
The successful rescue of all those aboard has been described as the most significant event of the incident. But now investigators will work to establish exactly what caused Kenmore Air to ditch in North Beach Shallow Bay.
There will be more details to be released as the investigation continues and more information about the aircraft, the passengers, and the circumstances surrounding the emergency landing becomes available as time goes on.
