Kenmore Air plane with 10 aboard crashes near Sucia Island
A Kenmore Air flight carrying 10 people went down in the water near Sucia Island in Washington's San Juan Islands on Thursday evening, prompting a multi-agency rescue response. The plane left Seattle's Lake Union bound for Roche Harbor; officials have not yet released injury details or a cause.
Key Takeaways
- A Kenmore Air aircraft departed Lake Union around 4:30 p.m. Thursday for Roche Harbor and went down near Sucia Island.
- Kenmore Air said 10 people were aboard; Orcas Island Fire & Rescue initially reported as many as 11 patients.
- The U.S. Coast Guard and several San Juan County agencies are conducting rescue operations.
- Officials have not released the aircraft type, injury details, or a cause.
What happened to the Kenmore Air flight near Sucia Island?
Emergency crews responded Thursday to reports of an aircraft down in the water near Sucia Island in San Juan County, according to KOMO News.
A Kenmore Air spokesperson said the flight left Lake Union at about 4:30 p.m. and was headed to Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. Orcas Island Fire and Rescue told KIRO 7 the plane crashed around 5:15 p.m. off Sucia Island.
Kenmore Air said the flight was carrying 10 people. Orcas Island Fire & Rescue initially reported that as many as 11 patients could be involved. Both figures were described as preliminary.
Kenmore told KIRO 7 it is not believed the flight was a charter, though the scene remained active as crews worked.
Who is responding to the crash, and what do we know about injuries?
The U.S. Coast Guard is on scene conducting rescue operations and investigating the incident. Multiple agencies also responded, including Orcas Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan Island Fire & Rescue, Lopez Island Fire & Rescue, San Juan County Parks, and the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.
As of Thursday evening updates from local newsrooms, officials had not released information about the condition of those involved. It remained unclear whether there were injuries or fatalities. Orcas Island Fire and Rescue's mention of 11 patients left open whether that count included a pilot or any bystanders.
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Why does this Kenmore Air incident matter right now?
A Kenmore Air flight between Lake Union and Roche Harbor going down near Sucia Island puts immediate focus on the people aboard and on how quickly island fire crews, the county sheriff, parks staff, and the Coast Guard can coordinate an offshore rescue.
For now, the confirmed picture is limited but consequential: Kenmore Air reported about 10 people on board, responders flagged as many as 11 patients, and no agency has publicly detailed injuries, aircraft type, or cause.
This remains a developing story. Local outlets say updates will follow as investigators and rescue teams release more information.