Kenmore Air Plane with 11 Individuals Onboard Crashes into Coast
Kenmore Air is an airline based in Washington that maintains a fleet of nearly 30 turboprop planes, some of which are seaplanes. The airline provides scheduled, charter, and scenic flights, has been in operation for 80 years, and is recognized for its high reliability and excellent safety record.
Sadly, at approximately 5:15 PM on Thursday, July 23, 2026, one of the airline’s de Havilland DHC-3 Otter aircraft was involved in a significant accident. Specifically, flight number 140 was operated by a 66-year-old plane with the registration code N709KA. It had taken off from Seattle’s Lake Union (LKE), and was slated to conduct a 79-mile flight to Eastbound (ESD).
Regrettably, it was involved in an accident in Shallow Bay, close to Sucia Island, 49 minutes post takeoff. The pilot was reportedly trying to execute an emergency landing, and while the plane first made contact with the water, it ultimately collided with rocks along the coastline. Below is the complete route for the flight.
There were 11 individuals aboard, comprising 10 passengers and one pilot. Emergency responders promptly arrived at the scene, and all 11 individuals were taken to hospitals and/or medical facilities, with one reportedly in critical condition. I hope that individual achieves a full recovery.
Weather conditions at the time of the accident were not ideal, with gusts reaching up to 20 miles per hour, and rain approaching the area. Of course, that doesn’t fully account for the accident, however.
There is video footage documenting the incident.
Additionally, there is video footage of passengers evacuating the aircraft, followed by the plane subsequently catching fire. Thankfully, everyone exited swiftly and distanced themselves from the aircraft.
Let’s see what a probe into this incident uncovers.
Here’s what Kenmore Air CEO David Gudgel has stated regarding this incident:
“This evening one of our aircraft was involved in an accident near Sucia Island. We are thankful that everyone aboard has been accounted for, and our immediate priority is to ensure our passengers and pilot receive the care and assistance they require. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the United States Coast Guard, local emergency services, and everyone aiding in the response. Kenmore Air is fully cooperating with the investigating authorities, and we will continue to provide verified updates as they become available.”
Currently, we have no idea regarding the cause of this crash or how it occurred. In theory, seaplanes offer a significant advantage in executing an emergency landing over water.
If an emergency landing was indeed being attempted, it stands to reason that the objective was to remain clear of land, for obvious reasons. However, everything beyond the aforementioned video remains a mystery at this point. This situation appears to reflect unfortunate luck concerning the location, given the vast amount of water surrounding the crash site.
Bottom line
A Kenmore Air de Havilland DHC-3 Otter conducting a flight in Washington crashed near its intended destination while reportedly attempting an emergency landing. Considering this was a seaplane, one might expect that making an emergency landing would be relatively simple, particularly since the aircraft wasn’t simply plummeting from the sky. However, it is clear that something went drastically awry.
Fortunately, all individuals onboard were rescued, and hopefully the person in critical condition will attain a full recovery.
What is your perspective on this Kenmore Air crash?