The Alaska State Troopers released this photo of the crashed Pacific Wings deHavilland Beaver that is located on Thunder Mountain. AST, United States Coast Guard, National Transportation Safety Board and Juneau Mountain Rescue worked together to recover the body of the deceased passenger last Wednesday evening.
The crash of a Pacific Wings deHavilland Beaver last week, left one passenger, Thomas L. Rising, of Santa Fe, New Mexico dead and five other passengers, as well as the pilot, with injuries.
“The cause of the crash is still under investigation,” Alaska State Trooper Public Information Officer Megan Peters said. “The remains of Mr. Rising were recovered Wednesday afternoon.”
The United States Coast Guard reported that the wreckage was located at the 1,000 foot level near Thunder Mountain, approximately 11 miles west of Petersburg.
National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator Bryce Banning was on the scene of the wreckage Wednesday afternoon with the assistance of the USCG and Juneau Mountain Rescue.
“I was able to look at the wreckage, but couldn’t do a thorough investigation due to the location,” Banning stated. “It is located in a very steep, mountainous area and the wreckage is still unstable.”
According to Banning, insurance company representatives have been on the scene investigating and everyone involved is working to recover the wreckage.
“When we are able to recover the plane, it will be taken to Petersburg,” Banning stated. “At that time, I will really be able to get in there and see what happened. Until then, we are actively investigating all information we have already collected.”
A preliminary report will be available on the NTSB website within three to four days.
“Right now, we are just waiting for the wreckage to be recovered,” Banning stated.
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