PAGE, Ariz. (AP) — A small plane plunged into a lake that straddles the Arizona-Utah state line over the weekend, killing two people and injuring five, authorities said Monday.
The pilot of the single-engine plane reported an engine problem late Saturday afternoon before the Cessna 207 went down in Lake Powell near Face Canyon near the small Arizona city of Page, Federal Aviation Administration officials said in a statement.
According to a statement from the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, “Witnesses started calling National Park Service Dispatch to report the crash about 5:20 p.m. The tour plane out of Page, Arizona, was carrying the pilot and six French national tourists.”
The press release said that “the pilot and witnesses were able to remove four passengers from the plane into boats. They were then transported to a nearby shore where helicopters from Classic Aviation were able to pick them up and transport three with serious injuries to St. George Regional Hospital.”
Two other passengers who were rescued were transported by boat to Antelope Marina and then to a hospital in Page.
The release said two other passengers died “and remained in the submerged plane.”
The news release also said the National Park Service located the aircraft in about 120 feet of water. The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation used an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle to obtain photos of the Cessna in order to assist divers from the Utah Department of Public Safety in the successful recovery of the deceased.
National Transportation Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, according to the FAA.
Update Aug. 15, 9:58 p.m.: Adds details about passengers and rescue efforts
Written by The Associated Press
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