Iliamna Plane Crash Claims the Lives of Three Out of State Residents

Author: KSRM News Desk |

Seven people survived the de Havilland turbine Otter plane crash near the small village of Iliamna this morning. Three did not.

rainbow lodge otter

The victims have been confirmed as out of state residents: 80-year-old Toney Degroot of Hanford, California; 70-year-old James Fletcher of Clovis, California; and 69-year-old James Specter of Pennsylvania. Next of kin have been notified.

 

The seven survivors, some of which are critically injured, may be identified later.

 

Megan Peters with the Alaska State Troopers said the Dillingham trooper post received the report just before 6:30 am.

 

 

The site of the crash was said to be near Eastwind Lake just north of the Iliamna airport.

 

The National Transportation Safety board reported the plane crashed just after takeoff with 10 people aboard.

 

DHC3-Cabin-2

 

Five people have reportedly been transported to Anchorage for injuries and two were determined to be alright.

 

NTSB investigators are en route and the FAA has also been notified.

 

Iliamna is a popular fishing and hunting destination on the shores of Lake Iliamna, the largest lake in Alaska, about 225 miles southeast of Anchorage.