All 11 Survive Seaplane Crash and Fire in Puget Sound

A seaplane crash that ended in fire and freezing water should have been a disaster, but all 11 souls on board walked away with their lives last Thursday in Puget Sound.

The Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter was departing Seattle with 10 passengers and a pilot when something went wrong at 5:15 p.m. The plane went down on the water and immediately caught fire.

By the time US Coast Guard responders arrived on scene, the aircraft had already sunk beneath the frigid surface. But miraculously, everyone had escaped.

Eyewitnesses saw the plane wobbling in the air close to the water before impact. The fire ignited after the crash, adding urgency to an already dangerous situation.

Coast Guard Lt. Commander Marshall Burtt credits the pilot's skill for giving everyone a fighting chance. "The pilot probably did a really good job to set it down gently enough to give everybody a chance," he told CBS Evening News. "A lot of things went right to get everybody out of the plane."

Some passengers sustained injuries including broken bones, lacerations, and head injuries. Three air ambulances rushed the wounded to hospitals, including one person in critical condition.

Flight radar data shows the seaplane made a 180-degree turn back toward Sucia Island after passing it, suggesting the pilot may have been attempting an emergency landing.

Why This Inspires

This story reminds us that training, preparation, and keeping a cool head under pressure can mean the difference between tragedy and triumph. The pilot's ability to control the descent despite an unknown mechanical failure gave passengers precious seconds to escape before the plane sank.

The swift response from Coast Guard teams also played a crucial role. Every person involved, from the pilot to the rescuers to the passengers helping each other, contributed to this remarkable outcome.

Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with investigating authorities to determine what caused the accident. CEO David Gudgel emphasized respect for those involved and committed to sharing verified information as it becomes available.

In waters cold enough to cause hypothermia in minutes and with fire adding to the chaos, this could have ended very differently. Instead, 11 people get to go home to their families.