Seaplane Crash Off Washington Coast: All Survive, Video

A seaplane crashed off the coast of Washington state, carrying 11 people on board. The incident occurred on Thursday near Shallow Bay in the San Juan Islands. According to Kenmore Air, all on board — 10 passengers and a pilot — survived, which can be considered a miracle given the fiery wreckage seen in the footage.

In video captured by witnesses, the de Havilland DHC-3 Otter aircraft is seen making an emergency landing on the water, followed by a fire. Despite the severe damage, everyone managed to escape the burning plane. However, one person is in critical condition, while others sustained injuries ranging from cuts and bruises to fractures and head injuries.

According to Kenmore Air, the seaplane took off from Lake Union in Seattle at 4:30 PM local time and crashed at 5:15 PM. The cause of the crash is still unknown, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launching investigations.

The rescue operation was carried out by the Coast Guard, as well as emergency services from Washington state and Canada. Local residents in private boats also assisted. Thanks to coordinated efforts, all victims were quickly evacuated and taken to nearby hospitals.

In light of the incident, Kenmore Air canceled all flights on Friday. This is not the first time the company's seaplanes have been involved in incidents, but a crash of this severity with fire is rare. Such incidents draw attention to the safety of seaplane operations, which are popular in the Puget Sound region.

Local authorities remind of the need to follow safety precautions during flights over water and emphasize the importance of rapid response by rescue services. All victims are currently under medical supervision, with their condition stable except for one critical patient.

It is worth noting that seaplanes are an integral part of the transportation system in the Pacific Northwest, connecting islands and the mainland. The crash in Shallow Bay has caused widespread resonance, and the video from the scene quickly spread on social media, sparking comments about the passengers' luck.