A float plane and fishing boat collided on the Naknek River near King Salmon Sunday. Of the 10 people involved, only 3 suffered minor injuries. KDLG’s Ben Matheson has the story:
According to troopers, the Cessna 207 float plane was taking off upstream when it collided with a guided fishing vessel. All three people in the guide boat were tossed out of the boat and the float plane flipped upside down in the river with 7 people on board. Fisherman saw the accident happen and rushed to pull the people out of the water. 2 passengers from the plane and one from the boat were taken to the Naknek clinic with minor injuries.
The driver of the fishing boat was 29 year old Ted Gibson of Wisconsin. The pilot was 62 year old Raymond Peterson from King Salmon. He is the owner of Katmai Air, which was flying the 207 to Brooks falls in Katmai National park.
Clint Johnson is the Alaska regional office chief for the National Transportation Safety board. He says the NTSB’s investigation is just in its infancy, beginning with interviews.
The NTSB doesn’t know exactly how far into takeoff the 207 was or who may have been in the wrong place. Johnson says the location of the incident is an established area for float plane traffic.
Salvage crews were in the process of removing the plane midday Monday, which was resting upside down with only the floats
Wildlife and state Troopers responded, along with Bristol Bay Borough Police and EMS responded.