The National Transportation Safety Board Office of Public Affairs released a press release that “NTSB Investigates Sightseeing Plane Crash in Alaska” on 6/25/2015.
The National Transportation Safety Board is sending a go-team from its Alaska Regional office to investigate a sightseeing plane that crashed near Ketchikan, Alaska.A float-equipped DeHavilland DHC-3T (Turbine Otter) airplane crashed in an area of steep, mountainous terrain about 25 miles northeast of Ketchikan. According to local authorities, multiple fatalities have been reported.NTSB investigator Brice Banning is leading the team as investigator-in-charge. Public Affairs Officer Keith Holloway will coordinate media-related activities from Washington, DC.
The sightseeing plane was carrying a pilot and eight cruise ship passengers when it crashed into a cliff in southeast Alaska. Everyone aboard died in the crash, according to Promech Air, the plane’s operator.
The same weather conditions that may have caused the accident are hampering the body recovery process, which has been delayed. The DeHavilland DHC-3T Otter floatplane crashed in steep, mountainous terrain which will be difficult to access. The Holland America cruise line passengers had been on a tour of the 2-million-acre Misty Fjords National Monument, accessible only by floatplanes or boats. The cruise left Seattle Saturday for a 7 day round trip cruise on the MS Westerdam. Names of the victims have not been released.