Float Plane Collision Kills Two People in Alaska

KETCHIKAN, AK. – According to an online news story reported at dailymail.co.uk, a float plane collision in Ketchikan, Alaska, resulted in the deaths of two people. This is the second float plane collision to occur in the area and the second such collision involving the main regional airline.*

The Beaver float plane involved in this incident, owned by Taquan Air, reportedly crashed off of the coast of Ketchikan on May 20. The crash occurred at about 4 p.m. that day in the Metlakatla Harbor. Daily Mail reports that two people were on board the plane when it crashed, including a pilot and one passenger, and both were killed. The victims have not yet been identified. 

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the collision. No information about the events leading to the crash was included in the report from Daily Mail. Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad Incident Commander Jerry Kiffer said that the weather was clear that day and visibility was optimal. 

“It was a typical Ketchikan day,” Kiffer told reporters. “It’s our understanding that the aircraft was landing in the harbor [before it crashed].”

The May 20 crash becomes the second involving a Taquan Air Beaver floatplane to occur in Ketchikan in a week’s time. On May 13, a Taquan Air plane collided in the air with another float plane, killing six people and injuring 10. The people aboard the two planes were cruise ship passengers taking excursions in Ketchikan. 

“It’s unusual,” Kiffer said. “We have had multiple fatal accidents before, but not in recent years. I don’t recall there being something within a week.” 

The May 13 crash is also still under investigation. 

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Source:https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7053771/Pilot-passenger-killed-SECOND-Taquan-Air-floatplane-crash-Alaska-week.html