Update | 2:10 p.m. Monday, June 11, 2018
The search party has found the body of the missing passenger. No names are being released at this time in order to notify next of kin. “Our deepest condolences go out to all the families and friends of these two men,” said Coast Guard Petty Officer Charley Hengen.
With the search concluded, the Alaska State Troopers and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading an investigation. Two NTSB agents – Noreen Price and Eric Swenson – are flying from Anchorage today and will be on scene for the next two to three days.
“The intent for the next 24 hours, or as soon as possible, is to get to the accident site and document to the best of our ability,” said Clint Johnson, Alaska Region Chief for NTSB. “[The plane] is partially submerged in some brackish water. Then, we’ll go into recovery of the wreckage.”
Update | 12:40 p.m. Monday, June 11, 2018
Search teams from the Sitka Firehall have returned. A total of 15 personnel in two boats were active for about three hours this morning. The identification of victims is pending notification of next of kin.
Original story | 7:41 a.m. Monday, June 11, 2018
The Coast Guard was on the scene Sunday of plane crash near Sitka.
The Piper P-A 18 Super Cub went down near where the Katlian River meets Katlian Bay.
A Coast Guard H-60 helicopter and cutter Bailey Barco responded to the scene.
They discovered the wrecked plane nose down in the water, but not completely submerged.
The pilot is deceased. His family has been notified, but his identity has not been released yet.
A passenger believed to be in the aircraft still is missing.
Evidence suggests that person was ejected through the windshield of the aircraft, Coast Guard Lt. Nick Capuzzi said.
Alaska State Troopers are expected to coordinate the search-and-rescue effort and begin an investigation.
The National Transportation Safety Board has also been notified, Capuzzi said.
Editor’s note: The time elements have been changed to reflect that the Coast Guard was on the scene of the crash Sunday. A previous version of this story said the plane crashed Sunday night. The plane departed Sitka on Saturday, but never returned. The exact time of the crash was unavailable.
