Seaplane crash near Whidbey Island, one dead, nine missing

The U.S. Coast Guard was called to respond to the report of a plane crash Sunday afternoon in Mutiny Bay west of Whidbey Island, Wash.

Crews at the Coast Guard Puget Sound Command Center received a report at 3:11 p.m. PDT that a float plane crashed with nine adults and one child aboard. The plane was en route to Renton Municipal Airport after departing from Friday Harbor.

The following assets were involved in the search:

• Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin rescue helicopter crew
• 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Osprey and crew
• 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Blue Shark and crew
• Coast Guard Station Seattle 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew
• Coast Guard Station Port Angeles 45-foot RB-M crew
• Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento C-27 aircraft and crew

Additionally, first responders from South Whidbey Fire, Island County Sheriff’s Office and Snohomish County Sheriff’s office were on the scene.

One deceased individual was recovered by crews on the scene. Nine individuals remain unaccounted for, and a safety zone has been put into effect to help facilitate search efforts.

Data provided by FlightRadar24.com shows the last signal received on the aircraft's position was at 3:08 p.m. PDT. At that point the aircraft was at 100 feet altitude.

FlightRadar24.com identified the aircraft as a 1967 de Havilland DHC-3 single-engine plane with 11 seats. The plane (tail number N725TH) is registered to Northwest Seaplanes Inc. of Renton, Wash., according to Federal Aviation Administration records.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.