Aviation

Photos: Fatal plane crash near Iliamna

A float plane with 10 people aboard crashed at a lake in the Southwest Alaska town of Iliamna early Tuesday, killing three, according to Alaska State Troopers and the National Transportation Safety Board.

NTSB spokesman Clint Johnson said the de Havilland DHC-3T Turbine Otter owned and operated by Rainbow King Lodge crashed on takeoff from East Wind Lake.

"They were headed to a fishing site from there," Johnson said. "There were guests, there were guides and there were obviously the crew on board."

Troopers identified those killed as Tony W. Degroot, 80, of Hanford, Calif., James P. Fletcher, 70, of Clovis, Calif., and James Specter, 69, of Shavertown, Penn. Their next of kin have been notified. Troopers are still working to confirm the names of survivors, the agency said in an online update.

Alaska Air National Guard Staff Sgt. Edward Eagerton said there were seven survivors of the crash, which troopers said was first reported at about 6:30 a.m.

"The plane crashed 300 yards from the airfield," Eagerton said. "Clinic personnel from the local airfield were able to arrive and perform an initial assessment."

Iliamna-based Alaska State Trooper Joseph Minnick responded to the crash at approximately 6:30 a.m. He said the community quickly got word of the crash and pulled together to assist, with about 30 people out in the early morning hours helping injured passengers. He said responders focused on helping injured passengers first, with local health aides on scene triaging the plane's occupants.

READ MORE: 3 killed when float plane with 10 aboard crashes in Southwest Alaska

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