A civil rights leader from Spokane, Washington, a business owner, the proprietor of a winery, and his family were aboard the floatplane that crashed in the Puget Sound and killed ten people.
Tuesday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard published the names of the victims. A kind Samaritan retrieved the body of one of the deceased following the Sunday afternoon incident. The remaining nine are still missing despite a thorough search.
The Northwest Seaplanes flight was its route to a Seattle suburb from Friday Harbor, a popular tourist site in the San Juan Islands, when it crashed without sending out a distress signal.
Pilot Jason Winter, activist Sandy Williams, vintner Ross Andrew Mickel, his pregnant wife Lauren Hilty, and their baby Remy Mickel are among the deceased. Joanne Mera, Patricia Hicks, Luke Ludwig, Rebecca Ludwig, and Gabrielle Hanna were also killed. The Coast Guard did not offer city information.
Mickel was the creator of Ross Andrew Winery in Woodinville.
“We are beyond crushed by the loss of Ross Mickel, Lauren Hilty, Remy, and their unborn son Luca,” the Mickel and Hilty families wrote in a joint statement. “Our collective grief is indescribable. In the lives of everyone who knew them, they shone like a brilliant star.”
A U.S. Coast Guard boat and Kitsap, Wash., County Sheriff boat search the area where a chartered floatplane crashed the previous day in Freeland, Wash., on Whidbey Island north of Seattle, on Monday, September 5, 2022. AP / Stephen Brashear
The Washington State Wine Commission stated in an email that Ross “had a tremendous impact on the Washington wine community” and will be sorely missed.
Williams was a lecturer, filmmaker, creator of the Carl Maxey Center, and editor of the African American-centric publication The Black Lens.
The Spokane County Human Rights Task Force wrote on Facebook, “Sandy was a voice for the voiceless, a tireless advocate for marginalized people in Spokane, a journalist unafraid to speak truth to power, a builder of hope in her vision for the Carl Maxey Center, and a beloved friend to countless members of our community.”
President of Gonzaga University Thayne McCulloh stated that the community lost a leader, educator, activist, and powerful voice.
“I am heartbroken to hear of Sandy Williams’ passing, and we at Gonzaga University offer our sympathies to her family, many friends, and coworkers,” he tweeted. “Rest In Peace, Sandy”
Joanne Mera was a San Diego-based company owner, according to The Seattle Times. Sami Sullivan, her niece, stated that she was visiting family in Seattle at the time of the tragedy. Sullivan stated that she leaves behind three children and a husband of more than 30 years.
“Everyone gravitated towards Joanne Mera,” Sullivan said in a statement. “She was the life and soul of our family and the life of any celebration. She excelled as a mother, wife, sister, and friend.”
Monday afternoon, the Coast Guard called off the search for survivors after “saturating an area” of more than 2,100 square nautical miles (nearly 2,800 square miles or 7,250 square kilometers).
On Twitter, the Coast Guard stated, “All next of kin have been informed about this decision.” Our sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and friends of the deceased and those still missing.
Monday, September 5, 2022, the home base for Northwest Seaplanes and Friday Harbor Seaplanes at the Renton Municipal Airport was quiet. AP/Martha Bellisle
The plane crashed in Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island, approximately 30 miles northwest of Seattle’s downtown and midway between Friday Harbor and its destination of Renton, just south of Seattle.
Jeff Brewny and his wife were walking their dog on Whidbey Island on Sunday when they heard a tremendous boom.
“Initially, I thought of thunder. That was how loud it was, “he remarked. “There was no flash comparable to that of lightning. I initially believed that a boat had exploded. That’s how horrible that was. My dog went crazy.”
The owner of the seaplane company was on one of two flights that took off on Sunday, according to Scott Giard, director of the U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue operations for the Pacific Northwest.
The owner reported to authorities that he noticed the other aircraft deviate slightly off course and that he attempted radio contact but was unsuccessful.
Giard claimed, “shortly thereafter, he discovered on his flight tracker that the flight had stopped tracking and informed authorities.”
According to Giard, officials received information that “the aircraft descended suddenly with a significant degree of speed and crashed into the lake.” “At this time, we do not have any video or photographs of the occurrence.”
According to him, neither a distress signal nor a distress beacon came from the falling aircraft. Onboard the airplane is an electronic location transmitter, but no transmission has been received.
“This is a common occurrence in the event of a hard landing or an airplane disaster,” he stated.
The cause of the accident is unknown, according to investigators.
A pair of U.S. Coast Guard vessels search the area where a hired floatplane crashed the previous day in Freeland, Washington, on Whidbey Island north of Seattle, on Monday, September 5, 2022. The aircraft was flying from Friday Harbor, Washington, to Renton, Washington. AP / Stephen Brashear
The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Monday that they will deploy a seven-person team to investigate the DHC-3 Turbine Otter crash.
Giard stated that Coast Guard searchers discovered “little debris.” By Monday afternoon, just three to four long and thin pieces of aluminum, very few personal things, a seat, and some little pieces of foam had been discovered.
It is difficult to determine what happened to the jet without a clear picture of the actual crash and without knowing whether it burst on contact or quickly plummeted 150 to 200 feet to the ocean floor, he said.
According to the company’s website, Clyde Carlson created Northwest Seaplanes as a family-owned business.
Monday, the company’s office next to the seaplane pier at Renton Municipal Airport remained fenced off and closed. Two people were seen hugging near the entrance as the only observable action.
A woman who answered the phone early on Monday said they are devastated by the incident and are awaiting additional information.
“There is a tiny crew. Everyone is nearby, “Michelle, stated the woman who refused to offer her last name. She declined further comment.
Monday night, the company stated on Facebook that they are heartbroken.
The post stated, “We currently have no information regarding the cause of the tragedy.” “We collaborate with the FAA, the NTSB, and the Coastguard. We have been in contact with the affected families. We are praying for the affected families, particularly those of our pilot.”
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