6 killed in crash of sightseeing plane near park
JUNEAU, Alaska — A sightseeing plane crashed in southeastern Alaska, killing all six people on board, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The plane’s emergency alert beacon was activated around 11:20 a.m. Thursday when the plane crashed in the area of Misty Fjords National Monument, near Ketchikan, the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration said.
A helicopter company reported seeing debris on a ridgeline in the search area, and Coast Guard crew members found the wreckage around 2:40 p.m. A Coast Guard helicopter lowered two rescue swimmers to the site, and they reported no survivors, the agency said.
The identities of those killed in the crash were not immediately released. The Alaska State Troopers and volunteers from the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad were coordinating recovery efforts.
The plane involved, a de Havilland Beaver, was owned by Southeast Aviation LLC.
“Our hearts are shattered at the loss of six people today. We are thinking of and grieving with the families of the five passengers and our dear friend and pilot aboard the aircraft,” the company said in a statement. “We are cooperating with the first responders and agencies involved, including the U.S. Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board and Alaska State Troopers.”
The five passengers on the flight were from the Holland America Line cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam, the company said in a statement. The ship stopped in Ketchikan on Thursday and delayed its afternoon departure after the plane crash. The company said it was making counseling services available to guests and crew.
“The float plane excursion was offered by an independent tour operator and not sold by Holland America Line,” the statement said.
Ketchikan is a popular stop for cruise ships visiting Alaska, and passengers can take various sightseeing excursions while in port. Popular among them are small plane flights to Misty Fjords National Monument, where visitors can see glacier valleys, snowcapped peaks and lakes in the wilderness area.
Southeast Aviation on its website says it provides sightseeing tours to Misty Fjords National Monument and bearviewing sites, along with air charters to other communities in southeastern Alaska.
Weather conditions at the time of the crash included a cloud ceiling of 900 feet with mist and light rain. Visibility was 2 miles and winds were 8 mph, the Coast Guard said.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a crew to investigate the crash. The FAA is also investigating.