Pilot of Seaplane that Crashed on Washington’s Sucia Island Reported Bad Weather
The preliminary report says thunderstorms and 12-20 mph gusts forced the pilot to divert, and all 11 people aboard survived the crash.
- An NTSB preliminary report released Wednesday details how a Kenmore Air pilot radioed about bad weather before attempting an emergency landing near Sucia Island on July 23, 2026. All 11 people aboard the seaplane survived despite the crash into rocks and subsequent fire.
- Thunderstorms with gusts up to 20 mph prompted the pilot to divert from the scheduled Roche Harbor route, according to the National Weather Service. He informed operations he planned to wait for improved conditions at Sucia Island, which offered authorized landing bays.
- During the landing attempt in Shallow Bay, the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter's left wing dropped about four feet above the water. The aircraft "continued forward where it subsequently impacted rocks," the report said.
- All 11 people aboard escaped before flames engulfed the fuselage, with nearby boaters providing immediate aid. The NTSB noted two people sustained serious injuries including broken bones, while eight others suffered minor injuries.
- Kenmore Air stated Wednesday it is reviewing the preliminary findings while cooperating fully with the ongoing NTSB investigation. The company expressed sympathy for those affected, emphasizing that "Safety is our utmost priority in everything we do.
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Pilot reported bad weather before July float plane crash: report
The pilot of a Kenmore Air float plane that crashed July 23 on a Washington state island east of Victoria, injuring the pilot and all 10 passengers, had called the company’s operations centre about severe weather that prevented the flight from continuing, a preliminary investigation report says.
Pilot of seaplane that crashed on Washington’s Sucia Island reported bad weather
SEATTLE — Minutes before the July crash on Sucia Island, the pilot of a Kenmore Air seaplane with 10 passengers aboard radioed that bad weather would force an emergency landing, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.
Pilot of seaplane that crashed on Washington's Sucia Island reported bad weather
SEATTLE — Minutes before the July crash on Sucia Island, the pilot of a Kenmore Air seaplane with 10 passengers aboard radioed that bad weather would force an emergency landing, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report. All 11…
Pilot of seaplane that crashed on Sucia Island reported bad weather
Minutes before the July crash on Sucia Island in northwest Washington, the pilot of a Kenmore Air seaplane with 10 passengers aboard radioed that bad weather would force an emergency landing, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.
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