Five die as two planes in Alaska collide in mid-air
Five people are dead and 10 others are injured after two planes carrying cruise passengers taking part in shore excursions collided mid-air over southeast Alaska.
Princess Cruises confirmed that the pilot of a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and all four passengers were killed in the collision with a de Havilland Otter DHC-3 just after 1pm local time about eight nautical miles from the town of Ketchikan.
“We are deeply saddened to report this news and our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost their lives and the families of those impacted. Princess Cruises is extending its full support to travelling companions of the guests involved.”
The cruise was on a seven-day voyage that departed from Vancouver on May 11 and is to arrive in Anchorage this weekend.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios told AP the DHC-3 was carrying 11 people. He added that the 10 injured were from the larger plane and an 11th person was missing.
According to Ketchikan Medical Centre spokesperson Mischa Chernick, three of the injured people are in serious condition and seven are in fair condition, It is understood the Otter floatplane was returning from a Misty Fjords tour while the Beaver floatplane was on an independent tour.
A passenger on the Royal Princess cruise ship said 14 people on the two floatplanes were cruise passengers.
The Coast Guard has dispatched helicopters and boats for search and rescue operations.
Cindy Cicchetti told AP that the ship captain announced that two planes were in an accident. Cicchetti said the ship was not leaving as scheduled and there weren’t any details as to how the accident would affect the rest of the trip.
The US Federal Aviation Administration said it was not known what caused the planes to collide.
Taquan Air, the company which operated the De Havilland Otter plane, said it has suspended all flights.