A newly released preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has provided the first official details on what happened before a Kenmore Air floatplane crashed near Sucia Island on July 23. According to the report, the pilot was attempting to divert around deteriorating weather conditions when the aircraft went down.
Investigators state that the pilot contacted the company’s operations center by radio to report inclement weather that made it unsafe to continue toward Roche Harbor. The pilot indicated he intended to return toward Sucia Island, land in one of several nearby bays he was authorized to use, and wait for conditions to improve.
The NTSB report describes the aircraft’s flight path in detail: while roughly 11 miles northeast of Roche Harbor, the plane turned about 180 degrees and flew approximately five miles back toward Sucia Island. A witness near Shallow Bay captured video showing the aircraft descending at low altitude in a nose-high position. Investigators say that when the plane was about four feet above the water, its left wing dropped, causing the left wingtip and pontoon float to strike the water. The aircraft subsequently came down on both pontoon floats before hitting rocks and catching fire.
All 11 people on board, including the pilot, survived the crash. Two passengers and the pilot sustained injuries, though the report does not specify their severity. Nearby boaters assisted everyone off the burning aircraft.
The flight had departed Kenmore Air’s Seattle sea base at 4:30 p.m. on July 23, with scheduled stops planned at Roche Harbor and Friday Harbor before the diversion occurred.
In a statement to KIRO Newsradio, a Kenmore Air spokesperson said the company is reviewing the NTSB’s findings and continuing to cooperate with the ongoing federal investigation. The spokesperson added that the company extends its sympathy to those affected and considers safety its top priority.
The NTSB investigation remains active, and a final report determining the probable cause of the crash is expected at a later date.