Search for survivors as plane carrying 10 people crashes into Mutiny Bay, Washington
The plane was flying from San Juan County to Renton Municipal Airport
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.One person has been found dead and a search operation is underway for nine others, including a child, on board a seaplane that crashed in Mutiny Bay, west of Whidbey Island in Washington.
The float plane was en route to the Renton Municipal airport from Friday Harbor in San Juan County, the US coast guard said.
The authorities received a report at 3.11pm local time on Sunday that a seaplane with 10 people had crashed, prompting a major search operation.
At least four coast guard vessels, a rescue helicopter and an aircraft along with first responders and law enforcement agencies were pressed into the search.
“A surface safety zone has been placed around the scene of the crash,” the coast guard said.
The 55-year-old single-engine de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter was in the air for 19 minutes before crashing.
The body of a woman has been recovered from the scene, the Seattle Times reported. The cause of the crash is still unknown, authorities said.
“Witnesses saw the plane go down quite quickly towards the water and saw it impact the water,” Lieutenant Jon Gabelein with the South Whidbey fire department told KING5.
When asked if the plane had nosedived, he said: "That's what it was described as happening.
“We will continue to search the debris in the area following the tide and the current as time goes on we will have the lights and the helicopter has night capabilities,” he said, adding that continuing the search operations after dark would be a challenge for the agencies.
Float planes are frequently used around Puget Sound to ferry tourists between Seattle and the scenic San Juan Islands.
In May 2019, six people were killed in a midair collision between two Alaskan sightseeing planes.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments