Coast Guard suspends search for nine people missing after seaplane crashes off Whidbey Island – KIRO 7 News Seattle

The United States Coast Guard suspended its active search for the remaining nine missing persons as of noon Monday.

In a statement, the Coast Guard said it covered 1,283 linear nautical miles and saturated an area of ​​more than 2,100 square nautical miles during its search.

All relatives have been informed of their decision.

The search for survivors ended after a seaplane with 10 people on board crashed in Mutiny Bay, just west of Whidbey Island, on Sunday.

According to the US Coast Guard, nine adults and a child were on board the plane when it crashed at 3:11 p.m.

One person’s body was found at the scene. Efforts were underway to find the other nine victims, including the child.

The plane was flying from Friday Harbor to Renton Municipal Airport, which takes about 50 minutes. He was about halfway down the road when he crashed.

“You see people, like in Florida for 10 or 12 days. Or you watch a movie where they cross the Pacific. It’s a real thing. And the reason we’re looking is that we’re looking for survivors at this point. We typically assist with recovery operations, but right now the Coast Guard is in full search and rescue mode to find survivors,” said Scott Giard of US Coast Guard Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue.

However, Terry Ney, deputy chief of operations for South Whidbey Fire/EMS, said it was unlikely anyone would be found alive.

“For some reason he went straight into the water, didn’t even try to land, went straight down into the water,” Ney said. “At this point, we don’t expect to find any survivors,” Ney said.

The single-engine seaplane that crashed is a DHC-3 Turbine Otter, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The plane is about 200 feet deep in water, according to South Whidbey Fire/EMS.

North Whidbey Marine Fire Units, Kitsap County Marine Fire Units, Everett Marine Fire Units, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search & Rescue, and USCG units assisted in the answer.

The Federal Aviation Administration has established a temporary flight restriction zone around the crash area.

The NTSB sends a seven-person team to investigate the cause of the crash.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. Monday, Northwest Seaplanes posted the following statement on their Instagram account:

©2022 Cox Media Group