Date:
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Contact:
Nisha Marvel, WSDOT Aviation Communications, (360) 651-6310
YAKIMA - At about 1 p.m. today, rescuers confirmed that all 10 people on board the crashed Cessna 208 aircraft were found deceased. The aircraft had been missing since Sunday night after leaving Boise, Idaho for Shelton, Washington. Ground teams found the wreckage last night after a day of extensive searching by air and ground.
This afternoon, WSDOT and the assistant coroner met privately with the victims' families at the White Pass Lodge to answer questions and discuss the recovery efforts.
At a morning press conference emergency personnel confirmed that a strong fuel smell and radar data led searchers to the wreckage last night. The crash site is estimated to span a 100 feet by 60 feet area.
Participants in the search have included WSDOT, Yakima County Search and Rescue, Washington Air Search and Rescue, Tacoma Mountain Rescue, Seattle Mountain Rescue, Pierce County, King County, the Office of Emergency Management, Fort Lewis Rangers and the Red Cross.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are leading the recovery efforts and investigation. A King County helicopter is also assisting with the recovery.
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