Puget Sound float plane still missing after crash
Posted September 6, 2022 8:57 am.
Last Updated September 6, 2022 8:58 am.
Investigators are no closer to finding a float plane that crashed into the water in Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island in Washington over the weekend.
The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday that it was suspending the search for nine remaining people who were unaccounted for after the aircraft crashed in Puget Sound. This was after a body, one of the 10 people aboard the plane, was pulled from the water Sunday.
(1/2) The Coast Guard has suspended its active search for the remaining nine missing individuals effective at noon. Coast Guard assets completed 26 search sorites, covering 1,283 linear nautical miles and saturating an area of more than 2100 sq. nautical miles.
— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNW) September 5, 2022
On Tuesday, the agency identified all those who were onboard, including a child.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard says the body that was recovered from the water has been taken to the coroner but has not yet been positively identified.
Next of kin has been notified.
The float plane was headed for Renton Municipal Airport in Washington after leaving Friday Harbor on Sunday. The crash was reported just after 3 p.m.
Related article: Search for missing called off after deadly Puget Sound float plane crash
Several Coast Guard crews had been helping in the search for those missing, with teams out through the night Sunday into Monday. They were working alongside local first responders from South Whidbey Fire, the Island County Sheriff’s Office, and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office.
The cause of the crash has not yet been identified. The Coast Guard says the National Transportation Safety Board has been called in to investigate.
