Coast Guard: 6 dead in Alaska sightseeing plane crash

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A sightseeing level crashed Thursday successful southeast Alaska, sidesplitting each six radical connected board, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The plane’s exigency alert beacon was activated astir 11:20 a.m. erstwhile the level crashed successful the country of Misty Fjords National Monument, adjacent Ketchikan, the Coast Guard and Federal Aviation Administration said. A chopper institution reported seeing wreckage connected a ridgeline successful the hunt area, and Coast Guard unit members recovered the wreckage astir 2:40 p.m. A Coast Guard chopper lowered 2 rescue swimmers to the site, and they reported nary survivors, the bureau said.

The identities of those killed successful the clang were not instantly released.

The 5 passengers connected the formation were from the Holland America Line cruise vessel Nieuw Amsterdam, the institution said successful a statement. The vessel stopped successful Ketchikan connected Thursday and delayed its day departure aft the level crash. The institution said it was making counseling services disposable to guests and crew.

“The interval level excursion was offered by an autarkic circuit relation and not sold by Holland America Line,” the connection said.

Ketchikan is simply a fashionable halt for cruise ships visiting Alaska, and cruise vessel passengers tin instrumentality assorted sightseeing excursions portion successful port.

Popular among them are tiny level flights to Misty Fjords National Monument, wherever visitors tin spot glacier valleys, snow-capped peaks and lakes successful the wilderness area.

In 2019, 2 sightseeing planes collided successful midair, sidesplitting six of the 16 radical connected committee the 2 planes.

The level progressive Thursday, a de Havilland Beaver, was owned by Southeast Aviation LLC, Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Kip Wadlow said. A connection near astatine the sightseeing institution successful Ketchikan was not instantly returned to The Associated Press.

The institution connected its website says it provides sightseeing tours to Misty Fjords National Monument and bear-viewing sites, on with aerial charters to different communities successful southeast Alaska.

The Coast Guard was told by the plane’s relation that 5 passengers and a aviator were connected board, Wadlow said.

Wadlow did not person details connected erstwhile the level took off. Weather conditions were a unreality ceiling of 900 feet (274.32 meters) with mist and airy rain. Visibility was 2 miles (3.22 kilometers) and winds were 8 mph (12.87 kph) the Coast Guard said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a unit to analyse the crash. The squad is expected to get successful Alaska connected Friday.

The FAA is besides investigating.

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Thiessen reported from Anchorage, Alaska.