A seaplane carrying 11 people crashed near Sucia Island, north of Seattle, catching fire and prompting a swift rescue operation by multiple agencies. The crash occurred as the plane attempted a hard landing, first hitting the water on one float before crashing into the rocky coast. Witnesses rushed to help as the plane caught fire, and all passengers and the pilot were rescued and taken to hospitals. The U.S. Coast Guard issued an urgent broadcast, and several good Samaritan vessels assisted in the rescue. The plane, a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, had taken off from Seattle and was headed to Roche Harbor. Kenmore Air, the airline operating the flight, canceled all flights the following day and is cooperating with investigators. The FAA will investigate the crash, which follows a similar incident in New York City and a previous deadly crash in Puget Sound in 2022.
QUESTION: How might increased safety regulations for seaplanes impact the tourism industry in popular destinations like the San Juan Islands?
A seaplane carrying 11 crashes into an island north of Seattle and all aboard are rescued
