Seaplane catches fire after emergency landing in San Juan Islands

SUCIA ISLAND Wash. — 10 passengers and the pilot of a Kenmore Air seaplane that caught fire after making an emergency landing in the San Juan Islands about 5:15pm on Thursday, July 23, 2026, are reported accounted for and were transported to area hospitals.

At 5:25 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a report of a Kenmore Air seaplane that made an emergency landing in North Beach Shallow Bay before catching fire.

Approximate location of the emergency landing

Kenmore Air officials reported the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter aircraft (flight #140) had departed from Lake Union in Seattle. According to a flight track provided by FlightAware, the plane had passed Sucia Island heading west when it made a 180-degree turn heading back toward the island when it landed in the water near the shore.

The flight track prior to an aircraft making an emergency landing (July 23, 2026). Source: FlightAware

Kenmore Air officials confirmed that everyone aboard had been accounted for.

2 injured passengers are being transported to medical facilities in Bellingham and 2 injured passengers are being transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for evaluation and treatment and 7 passengers transported to Bellingham Coast Guard Station.
Out of respect for those involved, we will not speculate regarding the cause of the accident.
Kenmore Air (July 23, 2026)

Localized weather systems were reported moving through the area bringing lightning, rain and gusty winds at the time of the emergency landing.