A small plane sank after ditching in the water near Juneau Monday when a mechanical issue stopped the engine, state troopers say.
According to a troopers dispatch posted Monday, a 1974 Cessna T207 on wheels operated by Alaska Seaplanes departed Skagway and was due to arrive in Juneau at 6:30 a.m. Monday.
About three miles from Juneau, the plane, carrying four passengers and a pilot, experienced a mechanical issue and the engine stopped functioning properly, according to troopers.
The pilot made an emergency call to the Juneau FAA tower and decided to land in the ocean approximately 150 feet from the eastern shore of Coghlan Island.
The plane remained upright and all five occupants were able swim to shore safely, and they were rescued shortly after, according to troopers.
All were medically evaluated by local search and rescue. Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said no injuries were reported.
It was not clear what the mechanical issue was Monday. Noreen Price, National Safety Transportation Board aviation accident investigator, said the cause was still under investigation. She said as of Monday afternoon the plane still hadn't been recovered from the water.
[Survivor of fatal Haines plane crash rescued by local residents as water rose]