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Authorities say nine people aboard a sightseeing flight that was an excursion from a Seattle-based cruise ship died when the float plane crashed into a cliff in southeast Alaska.
Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska office, said rain and high winds prevented the recovery of the bodies off a cliff about 20 miles northeast of Ketchikan Thursday evening.
Crews will be out again Friday to try to recover the bodies.
The plane was carrying eight cruise ship passengers and a pilot.
According to the Alaska Dispatch News, Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan got a report just after 2 p.m. Thursday that a float plane was overdue. They tracked an emergency locator transmitter that had been activated, and a helicopter operated by Southeast-based Temsco spotted the turboprop Otter plane by Ella Lake. It had crashed in steep, mountainous terrain about 25 miles northeast of Ketchikan.
The United States Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams were called to the site of the crash. A medical crew was also sent to the scene.
Jerry Kiffer, president of the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad told the Alaska Dispatch News the plane was sitting on a 60-degree slope at the base of a cliff.
"It's kind of hanging on the side of the mountain," Kiffer said. "The floats, of course, are broken off and it's actually (lying) on top of the floats with the tail hanging out over about a 30- or so foot drop."
The aircraft was operated by Promech Air.
“There is nothing I can say that can alleviate the pain and overwhelming sense of loss that we and the loved ones of those affected are feeling,” said Marcus Sessoms, president of Promech Air. “At this moment, all of us share the pain and anguish of this terrible event. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to everyone touched by this tragedy.”
Holland America Line said the plane was part of a shore excursion sold through the cruise line. The eight passengers were on a seven-day Inside Passage cruise on the Westerdam, which docks in Magnolia. It left Seattle on June 20 and had docked in Ketchikan Thursday.
All indications from people on board the cruise ship is that they are returning to Seattle and canceling the rest of their trip.
"We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those onboard the plane and their families. Holland America Line is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved," Holland America said in a statement.
Below is the statement in full from Holland America:
On Thursday, June 25, 2015, a small float plane owned by Promech Air that was operating a shore excursion sold through Holland America Line was involved in an accident approximately 20 miles northeast of Ketchikan, AK, near Ella Lake. The flight carried eight guests from ms Westerdam and a pilot.
The United States Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams are on their way to the site of the accident. The condition of those onboard the plane is not known at this time.
We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those onboard the plane and their families. Holland America Line is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved.
Westerdam is sailing a seven-day Inside Passage cruise roundtrip from Seattle that departed June 20.
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