- History of Flight:
On July 23, 2026, at about 1722 local time, a de Havilland Canada DHC-3T Vazar Turbine Otter, N709KA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Sucia Island, Washington. The commercial pilot and ten passengers survived the accident. Three passengers sustained minor injuries, and one passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was registered to Kenmore Air Harbor LLC out of Kenmore, Washington, doing business Kenmore Air. Flight 140 was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 135 scheduled passenger flight from the Kenmore Air Seaplane Base (W55), Seattle, Washington, with an intended destination of Roche Harbor Airport (WA09), Roche Harbor, Washington.
[Photo: Yakima Herald Republic]
According to flight-tracking history, on the day of the accident, at 0750, the airplane departed the Kenmore Air Passenger Terminal on a 4 hour sightseeing flight over the coast. At 1401, the airplane departed again on a flight to WA09. At 1452, the airplane flew a 7m flight to Friday Harbor Airport (KFHR), Friday Harbor, Washington. At 1512, the airplane departed on a flight to W55. The accident flight originated at 1633.
According to Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed the W55 seaplane base and entered a climb to a cruise altitude of 500 ft over the coast. The flight appeared uneventful. At about 1713, the airplane initiated a left hand turn while maintaining its cruise altitude. At 1719, the airplane entered a descending right hand turn towards Sucia Island. The last ADS-B data point was recorded at -50 ft (baro). The airplane was at 55 knots with a reported 0 fpm vertical rate of climb. This data point was recorded about 375 ft short of the accident location (see figures).
[Photo: ADS-B data ran through Flysto]
[Photo: ADS-B data end of track ran through Google Earth]
The FAA reported: “Aircraft crashed under unkn circumstances while landing near Sucia Island. A post impact fire consumed the aircraft.”
According to the operator: “Based on available weather radar information, there was a weather system in the area at the time, and the pilot adjusted the flight path in response to that weather.”
A witness located in Orcas, Washington (south of the accident site), reported lightning north of his location which was followed by very heavy rain a few minutes prior to the accident.
The initial landing sequence was captured on amateur video. The airplane appeared to be low and slow over the surface of the water, and the engine sounded like it was windmilling. The airplane entered a left bank and the left float bounced off the surface. The airplane landed again on the surface and continued out of view. An impact sound was heard about 4 seconds after the initial touch-down.
[Photo: Different sections of the video from Twitter and final resting position]
The occupants were able to self egress before a post crash fire ensued.
- Airplane Information:
The accident aircraft, serial number 410, was manufactured in 1960. It was a single-engine, propeller-driven, high-wing, 11-seat (1 pilot seat and 10 passenger seats), STOL airplane. It was powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engine that drove a three-bladed Hartzell propeller.
[Photo: Wikipedia]
The original DHC-3 was powered by a single reciprocating radial engine. However, the accident aircraft was modified and powered by the turboprop engine in accordance with Vazar, Inc., supplemental type certificate. The type certificate for the DHC-3 is currently owned and maintained by Viking Air Limited, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada.
According to the operator, the accident aircraft was current on required inspections. The aircraft’s maintenance records show its last 100-hour inspection was completed on June 25, 2026, and its last annual inspection was completed on January 26, 2026 (per operator statement.)
- Wreckage and Impact Information:
The airplane impacted the surface of the water with the left float, bounced, and landed back on the surface again and continued straight ahead until it impacted a rock face that was located on the shore. Both wings remained attached to the airframe and sustained impact damage. The tail was severed. The flaps appeared to be deployed. A fire started in the front section that consumed the entire airframe. All occupants were able to evacuate before the said fire.
[Photo: Twitter]
The fire destroyed the majority of the airframe. A portion of the left wing and the tail remained free of fire damage.
[Photo: Local Sheriff]
- Weather:
(1) Brief:
The nearest weather station, Orcas Island Airport (KORS), reported the following conditions at 1715: Winds 170 at 10 knots, gusting 17 knots, 10 miles visibility, an overcast ceiling at 12,000 ft AGL, temperature 19 °C, dewpoint 14 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.98 inches of mercury, and at 1735: Winds 170 at 10 knots, gusting 20 knots, 2.5 miles visibility, rain, mist, few clouds at 200 ft AGL, an overcast ceiling at 3,600 ft AGL, a broken cloudlayer at 8,500 ft AGL, temperature 17 °C, dewpoint 15 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.99 inches of mercury.
The local area forecast discussion reported that scattered thunderstorms will continue offshore in the coast and across the coastal waters, with the potential for additional developments in the afternoon.
Satellite imagery around the time of the accident showed the presence of thunderstorms in the area.
(2) METARs:
METAR KORS 232355Z AUTO 17012G20KT 10SM BKN120 20/14 A2998 RMK AO2
METAR KORS 240015Z AUTO 17010G17KT 10SM OVC120 19/14 A2998 RMK AO2 <<<
METAR KORS 240035Z AUTO 17010G20KT 2 1/2SM RA BR FEW002 SCT036 BKN085 17/15 A2999 RMK AO2 <<<
METAR KORS 240055Z AUTO 16007KT 4SM -RA BR FEW002 SCT035 BKN047 17/15 A2998 RMK AO2 P0007
Other nearby airports:
METAR KBLI 232353Z 18011G23KT 10SM FU CLR 20/14 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP164 T02000139 10217 20194 56000
METAR KBLI 240053Z 18009G20KT 10SM VCTS -RA FEW090 BKN110 21/14 A3000 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT W RAB52 SLP164 P0000 T02060144
METAR CYYJ 240016Z 01004KT 30SM TS FEW050CB BKN110 BKN160 21/14 A2998 RMK CB1AC5AC1 CB SW SLP155 DENSITY ALT 700FT
METAR CYYJ 240035Z 01011KT 20SM -TSRA FEW050CB BKN100 20/15 A2995 RMK CB1AC6 CB SW MOVG W OCNL LTGIC PRESFR SLP144 DENSITY ALT 600FT