Veteran ADN reporter Zaz Hollander is based in Wasilla and covers the Mat-Su region and breaking news.
The Taquan Air pilot was descending to show his 10 passengers a waterfall, the National Transportation Safety Board said Wednesday. He carried a device to warn of nearby planes.
Two other people in the Cessna 185 that crashed into the water were flown to Providence Alaska Medical Center.
The airline has suspended all operations after the second fatal crash a week
Family of pilot Ron Rash said they were still struggling with the tragedy and weren’t ready to speak to media.
The 51-year-old pilot and a 31-year-old visiting epidemiologist died in the Taquan Air floatplane.
Dr. Larry Lawson, also a well-known Mat-Su fossil collector, faces no jail time in a proposed plea agreement.
The man was missing for five days before Alaska State Troopers were notified, they say.
Taquan Air was flying Princess Cruise passengers when the floatplanes collided, killing 6. The Forest Service says it will review flightseeing plans filed by Taquan and Mountain Air Service.
But it’s still unclear whether free overnight camping and parking will eventually be legal.
The National Transportation Safety Board is examining how two Alaska sightseeing planes carrying 14 cruise ship passengers came together at 3,300 feet altitude near Ketchikan.
Preliminary data shows both planes were inbound to Ketchikan when they struck each other at about 3,300 feet altitude, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
A total of 16 people were on the two planes and 10 people were rescued, U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios said. There were 11 people in one plane and five in the other.
