A Kenmore Air seaplane carrying 11 people made an emergency landing near Sucia Island in Washington state on Thursday before catching fire, but all passengers and crew members were accounted for after a rescue operation, the U.S. Coast Guard said. The incident occurred in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands, prompting a coordinated response from US and Canadian emergency teams. According to Kenmore Air, the aircraft involved was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter seaplane that had departed from Lake Union in Seattle.

The plane was involved in an accident at around 5:15 pm PDT (0015 GMT) near Sucia Island, which is located north of Seattle close to the Canadian border. The airline confirmed that emergency responders were immediately notified following the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard said the aircraft made an emergency landing on the water before catching fire. An image released by the Coast Guard showed the seaplane engulfed in flames while positioned in the water at the crash site.

Officials said rescue teams quickly moved to the area to assist those onboard and secure the location. Multiple emergency resources were deployed following the incident, including assets from the U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian authorities and local responders. The coordinated rescue effort focused on locating passengers, providing medical assistance and transporting those who required further evaluation. "Several patients are being transported to local hospitals for medical evaluation and treatment," the Coast Guard said in an update.

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Authorities did not immediately provide details about the number or severity of injuries among those onboard. Officials confirmed that everyone on the aircraft had been accounted for after the rescue operation. The San Juan Islands, where the incident occurred, are a popular destination in the Pacific Northwest and are frequently served by seaplanes due to the region's extensive waterways and island geography. Floatplanes are commonly used in the area to connect communities and provide transportation to locations that can be difficult to access by road or traditional aircraft.

Kenmore Air, based in Washington state, is one of the largest seaplane operators in the United States and provides passenger services throughout the Pacific Northwest. The company operates a fleet of floatplanes that serve destinations across Washington and nearby areas, including the San Juan Islands. The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter involved in the incident is a widely used aircraft model known for its ability to operate in remote areas and land on water.

Authorities are expected to begin a detailed investigation into the cause of the emergency landing and the subsequent fire. Aviation investigators will examine several factors, including aircraft condition, maintenance records, weather conditions and the circumstances leading up to the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration and other relevant agencies are likely to review the incident as part of the investigation process.

Determining the cause of the accident will help identify whether mechanical issues, environmental factors or other circumstances contributed to the emergency. While the incident caused significant damage to the aircraft, the successful rescue operation ensured that all 11 people onboard were located and assisted. Further details about injuries, the condition of passengers and the cause of the accident are expected as officials continue their investigation into the seaplane emergency near Sucia Island.

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