What: Cessna U206G Stationair
Where: Beluga Lake, Homer, Alaska
When: July 10, 2012
Who: 5 aboard
Why: Five passengers were aboard a plane that flipped on landing in Beluga Lake. The fire department found the plane upside down and underwater. Four passengers were evacuated safely; one passenger was trapped underwater and seatbelted in, but emergency teams were reportedly able to get a pulse. An inflatable Zodiac boat assisted in the rescue.
The victim, Cheryll Heinze, a former state representative from Anchorage, was taken to Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage for treatment but was pronounced deceased at South Peninsula Hospital.
The plane was piloted by 71-year-old Evan “Joe” Griffith, general manager at MEA,Matanuska Electric Association. Heinze was director of public affairs for MEA.
Registration Number: N206VR
Mode S Code: 50325070
Certification Class: Standard
Certification Issued: 2011-10-28
Air Worthiness Test: 1979-02-22
Last Action Taken: 2011-10-28
