SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. June 7, 2024 – UPDATE: San Juan County Sheriff’s Office continues to support response efforts for a downed aircraft near Orcas Island.
Around 5:37 PM, a search team consisting of members of the WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and Customs and Border Patrol / Department of Homeland Security recovered the body of a deceased male from the downed aircraft in San Juan Channel near Jones Island in San Juan County, WA. It appears this male was the sole occupant of the aircraft as the plane had two seats and the rear seat still had the safety harness secured tightly to the seat. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was contacted and informed of the results of the search as well as the location of the wreckage.
The pilot’s wallet with his identification were located on his person and entered into the property room to be returned to the family at a later time. The victim of this tragic accident was turned over to the San Juan County Coroner’s Office who will make the proper notifications to the family and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office will not be giving out information on the victim’s identity.
This is a very somber and tragic incident, and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office sends its sincere condolences to the victim and his family.
SAN JUAN COUNTY, WA. June 7, 2024 – The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, along with personnel from the US Coast Guard and the WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (DWFW), are responding to a reported aircraft that went down in San Juan Channel near Orcas Island. The incident was reported to San Juan County’s dispatch center around 11:40am. The report noted that an older model plane was flying from north to south then went into the water and sunk. No additional information is available at this time and the number of passengers onboard is unclear.
An official request for dive team assistance was sent to personnel at WDFW and Customs and Border Patrol / the Department of Homeland Security who agreed to respond and are currently working on a plan to respond and assist.
The Sheriff’s Office respectfully requests that media outlets seeking information contact our administrative line (360-370-7621), not dispatch, or the US Coast Guard Public Affairs Office at 206-251-3237.
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