"In June 2015, a pilot and eight passengers died when a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter operated by Promech Air Inc. crashed into mountainous terrain about 24 miles (39 kilometers) from Ketchikan. The NTSB later determined that pilot error and lack of a formal safety program were behind the crash."

https://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/national/3-dead-3-missing-after-small-tour-planes-collide-in-alaska/2000316775

Map shows location of sightseeing plane collision near Ketchikan, Alaska on May 13, 2019 Google Maps

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alaska-plane-crash-2-sightseeing-planes-carrying-cruise-ship-tourists-collide-midair-near-ketchikan-alaska-2019-05-14/

"Spokesman Peter Knudson with the National Transportation Safety Board says the larger of the planes, a single-engine de Havilland Otter operated by Taquan Air, was initially traveling at an altitude of about 3,800 feet.

He says the plane had descended to an altitude of 3,200 to 3,300 feet when it collided with the smaller plane, the Beaver piloted by Sullivan, as both planes headed to Ketchikan with cruise ship passengers.

Knudson says the Beaver had been flying at a 3,300-foot altitude."

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7030281/PICTURED-Father-two-pilot-46-died-two-tourist-planes-crashed-mid-air-Alaska.html


Reports indicate that a larger a single-engine de Havilland Otter operated by Taquan Air (like the one above) descended sharply before colliding with the Beaver piloted by Sullivan


Father-of-two Sullivan had been a pilot with Mountain Air since 2012

"The float plane collision follows a similar incident that took place in July 2015, involving Holland America Line cruise passengers. All nine passengers onboard the plane, including the pilot, died in the 2015 crash, which also occurred outside Ketchikan."

https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/4091/

"Alaska State Troopers have identified the victims who died in the crash, Canada’s Global News is reporting. They include pilot Randy Sullivan, 46; Simon Bodie, 56, of Tempe, Australia; Cassandra Webb, 62, of St. Louis; Ryan Wilk, 39, of Utah; Elsa Wilk, 37, of Richmond, British Columbia; and Louis Botha, 46, of San Diego."

https://www.ajc.com/news/national/dead-missing-after-mid-air-collision-between-float-planes-alaska/YegtE7br8Ipd0InglEaE2H/

"The Australian was initially listed as unaccounted for.

“The Australian unfortunately is one of the people confirmed deceased,” US Coast Guard lieutenant Brian Dykens told AAP

The NTSB confirmed dive teams are continuing to search for two people in the icy cold waters of a southeast Alaska inlet, with one being a Canadian tourist.
However, a Coast Guard official said the remote nature of the search area has created “one of the most difficult conditions” for crews to operate in.

The water temperature off Ketchikan on Tuesday was 8.8 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The expected survival time in four to 10-degree water is one to three hours, according to the United States Search & Rescue Task Force website."

https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/australian-missing-after-cruise-ship-crash-in-alaska/news-story/f86e9bacc149e3c6886c1fd73ffe623c

This is absolutely terrible news. My heart goes out to the families of those injured or killed in this accident. I also wish for comfort for all of the emergency personal and responders who will no doubt be traumatized.

Sad to hear. Prayers go out to all families

"The U.S. Coast Guard and local search and rescue teams have confirmed that nine (9) of the guests on the Taquan Air plane have been rescued and are receiving medical attention with the condition of one (1) guest still unknown.

It has also been confirmed there are five (5) fatalities from the independent air tour - four (4) Royal Princess guests and one (1) pilot."

https://wjactv.com/news/nation-world/6-missing-after-midair-floatplane-collision-in-alaska