A planned summer fishing trip to Washington’s San Juan Islands turned into a remarkable survival story after Cody Gibson changed his travel plans just one day before departure, unknowingly avoiding the Kenmore Air floatplane that crashed near Sucia Island on Thursday.
Gibson had originally been booked on Kenmore Air Flight 140 with his friends but switched to an earlier flight so he could meet contractors at his family’s home near Roche Harbor. As he waited at the dock for the group’s arrival, a sudden storm rolled in with torrential rain, thunder, and lightning. Minutes later, he received a shocking phone call from one of his friends, using another passenger’s phone, telling him the aircraft had crashed and caught fire.
Kenmore Air Flight 140, a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter carrying 10 passengers and one pilot, crashed in Shallow Bay near Sucia Island at around 5:15 p.m. Despite the dramatic impact, all 11 people on board survived. Nearby boaters quickly responded after the U.S. Coast Guard issued an emergency broadcast, helping rescue passengers from the burning aircraft.
Videos captured by witnesses showed the floatplane flying low over the water before striking the surface, briefly becoming airborne again, and then crashing into the rocky shoreline. The aircraft was soon engulfed in flames as passengers escaped into the water.
Gibson said his friends lost their luggage, phones, and personal belongings during the crash. One friend suffered a serious seatbelt injury that narrowly missed a major artery, while another was treated for a concussion. Despite their injuries, all survived what could have been a far more tragic accident.
Witnesses described an abrupt and intense weather change just minutes before the crash. Residents reported heavy rain, strong winds, frequent lightning, and possible downdraft activity as thunderstorms swept across the San Juan Islands. The National Weather Service had warned earlier that afternoon of scattered thunderstorms capable of producing gusty winds, lightning, and reduced visibility.
Kenmore Air said available radar data showed a weather system in the area and confirmed the pilot had adjusted the flight path in response. However, the airline emphasized that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the cause of the accident, and no conclusions should be drawn until the investigation is complete.
The airline canceled all flights on Friday to support passengers, crew, and employees but resumed normal operations on Saturday following an internal safety review and coordination with authorities. Three passengers remained hospitalized, while the pilot was released from the hospital.
For Gibson, a simple decision to change flights one day earlier meant the difference between waiting safely on the dock and experiencing one of the most dramatic aviation accidents of the year. What was supposed to be a relaxing fishing weekend became a powerful reminder of how quickly circumstances can change—and how fortunate everyone aboard was to survive.
