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MUKILTEO—A small Cessna aircraft made an emergency landing in the water near Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Sunday, July 20, after experiencing a loss of engine power, resulting in the safe rescue of all three occupants with no reported injuries, the Mukilteo Police Department reported. The aircraft was en route from Friday Harbor Airport on San Juan Island to Seattle-Paine Field Airport when the incident occurred.

The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. when the pilot reported the power loss and contacted the control tower at Paine Field Airport, indicating that the plane could not reach the airport.

The aircraft, identified as a 1972 Cessna 177B Cardinal with registration N34281, according to the Aviation Safety Network, landed in the water near a boat dock at Lighthouse Park, located at 609 Front Street in Mukilteo. The aircraft’s destination, the Seattle-Paine Field Airport, is located 2 miles from the crash site. The aircraft us owned and operated by RAK Aviation LLC, which is registered to a Lynnwood address, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Bystanders and boaters assisted in the rescue of the three occupants, including the pilot. The aircraft sank after the persons were rescued.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA are involved in the investigation, though no updates have been released as of July 21, 2025.

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is an 18-acre waterfront park located at Point Elliott in Mukilteo, along the Puget Sound. The park features a historic lighthouse built in 1906, which is still operational and managed by the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as public amenities including a beach, walking paths, picnic areas, a playground, and boat launch facilities.

The park is a popular recreation spot in the region, offering views of Whidbey Island and the Olympic Mountains, and hosts events such as lighthouse tours and Mukilteo Lighthouse Park annually in September called Mukfest.

Author: Mario Lotmore