AK - Multiple fatalities confirmed in float plane collision near Ketchikan, three still missing

[Gardenista]

Three confirmed dead in plane collision near Ketchikan, three still missing

 

[Gardenista]

In a statement, Princess Cruises said the larger plane, a de Havilland Otter DHC-3, was operating an excursion sold through the cruise line and was carrying 10 cruise guests along with the pilot.

The second, smaller plane -- a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver -- was carrying four cruise passengers and a pilot on an independent tour.

At least 6 missing after 2 Alaska floatplanes carrying cruise passengers collide in mid-air, officials say

 

[Pi Thoughts]

Update: Five people are dead and one is still missing after a collision between two float planes with 16 combined people onboard, according to a cruise line whose passengers are among those killed.
UPDATE: Five dead after two flightseeing planes crash with cruise ship tourists aboard

 

[MsFacetious]

So I am presuming the others survived? Because the numbers aren't matching.

 

[JDough]

The pilot on each plane was flying cruise ship passengers on tours of Misty Fjords National Monument in the nearby Tongass National Forest, Princess Cruises said in a statement. All five people aboard a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver died, the cruise line said. The other plane, a de Havilland Otter DHC-3, carried 11 people.

Ten people were being treated at Peace Health's Ketchikan Medical Center. One person is in critical condition, three are in serious condition and six people are in fair condition, Peace Health Communications Director Beverly Mayhew told USA TODAY.

Two floatplanes collide in midair near Ketchikan, Alaska; 5 dead, 1 missing, 10 injured

 

[CocoChanel]

Such a shocking and devastating tragedy for all.

I am so sad for those who were lost and injured, and their families and friends.

It impacts everyone in the cruising world, and especially those who have been to Ketchikan, or will be there one day.

I remember watching the float planes taking off when we were there in ‘17. I longed to be one of the adventurous ones who booked those excursions. I seem to have gotten more skittish in my old age and was too frightened from previous reports of float plane accidents to book a tour. God bless all who were only following their dream for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to view the majesty of the beauty in the wilderness.

May their souls be at peace and their loved ones find some semblance of comfort during this unimaginable time.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

5 dead, 1 missing after floatplanes carrying cruise-goers collide in Alaska

The two planes that collided mid-air over Alaska were carrying 14 passengers from a seven-day roundtrip cruise out of Vancouver.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Cruise Critic discussion about plane crash includes current passengers aboard Royal Princess.

Royal Princess Passengers Involved in Plane Crash

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Captain's letter to passengers onboard Royal Princess (shared on Cruise Critic):

https://content.invisioncic.com/j28...58.jpeg.6838cd7277550f13dca65a19172ffc1d.jpeg

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

...I remember watching the float planes taking off when we were there in ‘17. I longed to be one of the adventurous ones who booked those excursions. I seem to have gotten more skittish in my old age and was too frightened from previous reports of float plane accidents to book a tour. God bless all who were only following their dream for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to view the majesty of the beauty in the wilderness...

<respectfully snipped>

I don't recall having seen float planes, but DH and I saw several helicopters land on Mendenhall Glacier (Juneau) when we were on an Alaskan cruise (Princess) several years ago. Fellow passengers who booked helicopter tours raved about the experience, but DH and I were happy to watch from the outdoor deck at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. As we stood in line to board the bus for our return to the ship, we saw a baby black bear scurry through the parking lot We disembarked the bus to do some shopping and enjoyed lunch at this historic pub: Red Dog Saloon – Behind those swinging doors

 

[Pi Thoughts]

An Australian is missing and at least three people are dead after a mid-air collision between two seaplanes in Alaska.

America’s National Transportation Safety Board has launched a search operation involving aircraft and multiple sea vessels.
Local authorities confirmed three people had been killed, while an Australian and a Canadian were still missing.

The three victims are said to be American.
Australian missing after sea plane disaster

 

[Pi Thoughts]

The United States Coast Guard said Tuesday that the bodies of two people missing after the midair collision of two small planes on Monday in a remote part of Alaska had been recovered, bringing the number of people killed to six.

The bodies of two passengers and the pilot, all Americans, were recovered on Monday afternoon. The Ketchikan Fire Department identified the pilot on Tuesday night as Randy Sullivan.

A fourth body was recovered Monday night, and two more bodies were recovered on Tuesday.

Ms. Homendy said she expected investigators to spend between five and seven days at the crash site.
2 More Bodies Found After Alaska Plane Collision, Bringing Death Toll to 6

 

[Tripod]

Awful tragedy for all. Bless their souls and families.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

Bodies of 2 missing after Alaska float plane collision found; 6 dead in crash

"Our community is heartbroken over this tragedy and its devastating impact on so many families," Ketchikan Gateway Borough Mayor David Landis said.

 

[Gardenista]

This video was posted on the Cruise Critics link BDE posted upthread.

 

[BetteDavisEyes]

^ Thanks for posting the video here, Gardenista. I watched it earlier this morning when I checked for updates on CC.