January 1, Floatplane Bursts Into Flames After Emergency Landing — Passengers Fight For Survival

Wyatt’s Take

• A Kenmore Air seaplane made an emergency landing off Washington’s coast Thursday before erupting in flames, leaving multiple passengers with serious injuries including head trauma and broken bones.
• All 10 passengers and the pilot made it out alive, but four were rushed to hospitals with one fighting for their life in critical condition — a stark reminder of how quickly routine travel can turn deadly.
• Coast Guard and Navy rescue teams mounted a massive multi-agency operation while three air ambulances airlifted the wounded, showing what real emergency response looks like when every second counts.

Multiple people were injured Thursday after a floatplane made an emergency landing off the Washington coast before catching fire. The incident prompted a massive rescue operation involving the Coast Guard, Navy, and local emergency responders.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a distress report around 5:25 p.m. local time. A Kenmore Air seaplane had made an emergency landing in North Beach Shallow Bay off Sucia Island before bursting into flames.

Authorities confirmed all 10 passengers and the pilot were accounted for. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported multiple injuries ranging from head trauma to broken bones and lacerations.

Kenmore Air confirmed four passengers were transported to local hospitals for treatment. One person remains in critical condition. No fatalities have been reported.

The airline said it was working closely with investigators and would provide updates as more information becomes available.

Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel addressed the emergency:

“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.”

The aircraft involved was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter operating near Sucia Island. According to the sheriff’s office, the flight departed Seattle’s Lake Union and was headed to Roche Harbor Marina on San Juan Island.

A Kenmore Air spokesperson confirmed this route between Lake Union and the San Juan Islands is a routine flight for the airline. Local residents frequently use these seaplane services for island travel.

Multiple agencies responded by deploying boats and emergency personnel to the scene. The U.S. Navy also assisted in the rescue operation. Three air ambulance helicopters transported injured passengers to medical facilities.

Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, Lopez Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, and San Juan County Parks all responded to the emergency.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Why It Matters

When disaster strikes, Americans depend on the brave men and women in uniform who drop everything to save lives. This rescue shows what happens when our Coast Guard, Navy, and local first responders work together without the red tape and bureaucracy that too often gets in the way. These are the heroes who deserve our support and resources — not endless foreign aid to countries that hate us. Every family boarding a plane trusts they’ll make it home safe, and when that trust is broken, we need answers fast about what went wrong and how we prevent it from happening again.