WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Officials with Kenmore Air and the US Coast Guard (USCG) issued statements today, Friday, July 24, 2026, updating information about yesterday’s seaplane emergency landing followed by a fire in Shallow Bay at Sucia Island.
The aircraft was carrying 10 passengers and one pilot. All 11 have been accounted for.
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to seaplane emergency landing on Sucia Island (July 23, 2026). Source: USCG 
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to seaplane emergency landing on Sucia Island (July 23, 2026). Source: USCG 
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to seaplane emergency landing on Sucia Island (July 23, 2026). Source: USCG 
Coast Guard, partner agencies respond to seaplane emergency landing on Sucia Island (July 23, 2026). Source: USCG
The aircraft caught fire following the emergency landing and is currently against the rocks on Sucia Island. Coast Guard environmental response personnel have been notified and are coordinating with partner agencies to assess potential environmental impacts.
The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration have been notified and the cause of the emergency landing and fire are under investigation.
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Click for more informationResponding Agencies:
- U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham
- U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Osprey
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound
- U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
- Canadian Coast Guard Ship Siyay
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
- San Juan County Office of Emergency Management
- Orcas Island Fire and Rescue
- Airlift Northwest
- British Columbia Air Ambulance
- U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham
- U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles
- U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Osprey
- U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound
- U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
- Canadian Coast Guard Ship Siyay
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
- San Juan County Sheriff’s Office
- San Juan County Office of Emergency Management
- Orcas Island Fire and Rescue
- Airlift Northwest
- British Columbia Air Ambulance
Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound (July 24, 2026)
Officials with Kenmore Air reported they are cooperating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation into the incident.
Based on available weather radar information, there was a weather system in the area at the time, and the pilot adjusted the flight path in response to that weather. Any determination about contributing factors will come from the NTSB investigation.
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Click for more informationThe pilot has been released from the hospital. Three passengers remain hospitalized: two at Harborview Medical Center and one at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. We continue to wish everyone involved a full and swift recovery.
Regarding maintenance, aircraft N709KA, a de Havilland Otter, was current on required inspections. The aircraft’s maintenance records show its last 100-hour inspection was completed on June 25, 2026, and its last annual inspection was completed on January 26, 2026.
Out of respect for those involved and their families, we are not sharing additional personal information at this time.
Kenmore Air (July 24, 2026)
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