Mat-Su

Two suffer minor injuries as floatplane flips on lake near Butte

Two people in a small floatplane that apparently flipped while landing on a lake within the Knik River Public Use Area were rescued with minor injuries Tuesday afternoon, authorities say.

Alaska State Troopers and Matanuska-Susitna Borough emergency responders converged on the lake around 2 p.m. after someone reported the accident, according to Casey Cook, Mat-Su emergency manager. Butte fire chief Eric Van Dusen said the plane was in Jim Lake. The popular lake is about three miles down a well-used gravel road past the paved end of Maud Road.

Spokesperson Megan Peters said troopers received a report of a plane in the water and people clinging to it or on top of it.

The plane, which was on floats, was upside down in the water when responders arrived. The two occupants suffered cuts and bruises and were assessed by medics but didn't need to go to the hospital, Van Dusen said. The plane sank into the lake, he said. "The only thing that's sticking up is the floats."

Initial reports from the scene indicated the plane was about 300 yards offshore but the occupants were dry and with only minor cuts. Numerous borough ambulance, rescue and dive teams responded.

Zaz Hollander

Zaz Hollander is a veteran journalist based in the Mat-Su and is currently an ADN local news editor and reporter. She covers breaking news, the Mat-Su region, aviation and general assignments. Contact her at zhollander@adn.com.

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