An investigation into a floatplane crash that killed 8 sightseers and the pilot about a year ago is nearly finished.
National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Chief Clint Johnson told the Ketchikan Daily News that officials are compiling information before releasing a final report.
The federal agency sent investigators to the site near Ketchikan where visibility was reduced at the time of the June 2015 crash.
A preliminary report said pieces of terrain-avoidance technology were recovered.
Johnson said factors like the high number of deaths in the crash probably warrant a hearing, when a possible cause would be released.
The safety board can hold hearings for major accidents to gather sworn testimony and make the investigation process public.
A Washington, D.C. hearing is likely to be set early in 2017.
