Plane carrying 10 down in Alaska; 3 dead, troopers say

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: CBS News

Last Updated Sep 15, 2015 4:23 PM EDT

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - Authorities say three people are dead after a floatplane belonging to a fishing lodge crashed with 10 people on board in southwest Alaska.

CBS Anchorage affiliate KTVA reports all of the deceased live outside the state.

Alaska State Troopers say injured passengers are being flown to Anchorage hospitals following the crash Tuesday near the small community of Iliamna. It's unclear how many people are hurt.
....

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Allen Kenitzer says the plane crashed on takeoff at Eastwind Lake, 1 mile north of Iliamna. He says the aircraft was a De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter on floats, and the cause of the crash is not yet known.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/plane-carrying-10-down-in-alaska-3-dead-troopers-say/

[MADem]

1. It is apparently a rather private and exclusive fishing lodge.

Amazing that anyone survived at all....

Accommodations and Meals:
Rainbow King Lodge can accommodate 16 guests per week, with the ability to accommodate larger groups upon request. Each guest room contains its own private bath, tub and shower, two double beds, or a king and a twin, wall to wall carpeting, blackout drapes, thermostatically controlled heat, and an excellent view of Lake Iliamna and the snow capped peaks across the lake. The lodge room, with its large fireplace, is always enjoyed by guests, as is the large dining room with its similar fireplace. The recreation room has a whirlpool spa, center-of-the-room fireplace, pool table, card tables, color TV, and a professional guide to answer your fly casting or tying questions. This area gives you more than enough space for evening recreation and story-telling about your day’s fishing experience.

A pre-planned menu offers such main courses as stuffed filet mignon with snow crab, traditional prime rib of beef, bourbon-pecan encrusted rack of lamb, and medallions of pork. The current year’s detailed menu is available upon request. It is possible to customize the menu for your dietary needs. Breakfast is cooked to order with a great variety of menu choices including Belgian waffles, eggs Vienna, eggs benedict, and all the fresh fruits and melons in season. There is no set time for breakfast so you can eat at your convenience depending on your departure time each day. Dinner is served at 7:30PM nightly.

There is not a public bar, nor is liquor available for purchase. Bring your own spirits. Mixers are provided and everyone tends the bar and has a good time. Iliamna is a dry village by law, and it’s illegal for the lodge to sell liquor, but perfectly fine to bring your own. For large orders the lodge can refer you to a distributor in Anchorage who will ship your order to coincide with your arrival.

The lodge also has a well stocked pro shop with a fine selection of jackets, layering pieces, rods, reels and most all that is needed if you happen to forget or want to upgrade your equipment....

http://flywatertravel.com/destination/rainbowkinglodge

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. Investigation continues into Iliamna plane crash that killed 3

Investigation continues into Iliamna plane crash that killed 3

Suzanna Caldwell, Chris Klint | September 16, 2015

ILIAMNA -- Authorities on Wednesday identified the pilot and six survivors of a Tuesday morning floatplane crash near the Southwest Alaska town of Iliamna as investigators continued to look into what may have caused the crash that left three others dead.

National Transportation Safety Board investigator Millicent Hoidal said she, another NTSB investigator, an FAA investigator and a representative of the aircraft engine manufacturer had been assessing the site where the de Havilland DHC-3T Turbine Otter crashed since Wednesday morning.

The Otter, owned and operated by the Rainbow King Lodge, crashed shortly after takeoff from East Wind Lake, not far from the Iliamna Airport. The plane was being flown by 54-year-old John Furnia of New York, Alaska State Troopers said in an online dispatch. NTSB Alaska Chief Clint Johnson said Tuesday that the plane was headed to a fishing site with guests and guides onboard when it crashed.

Three of the plane’s nine passengers -- Tony W. DeGroot, 80, of Hanford, California; James P. Fletcher, 70, of Clovis, California; and James Specter, 69, of Shavertown, Pennsylvania -- died in the wreck.