Investigation Continues Passengers Identified in Fatal Iliamna Crash

Alaska Native News on Sep 16, 2015.

Alaska State Troopers have released the names of the pilot and passengers involved in the fatal air crash that took place north of Iliamna on Tuesday.

According to the trooper dispatch, “The Pilot has been identified as John Furnia, 54 of New York. The surviving passengers are identified as Justin L. Schillaci, 27 of Pennsylvania; Robert R. Westbrook, 23 of Oregon; Seth J. Hofland, 25 of Utah; David W. Wood, 67 of Pennsylvania; Robert J. Dingler, 62 of California; and Rodger C. Glaspey, 65 of California.”

In addition to the survivors the unfortunate victims who lost their lives in the crash were, “identified as Tony W. Degroot, 80 of Hanford, California; James P. Fletcher, 70 of Clovis, California; and James Specter, 69 of Shavertown, Pennsylvania,” the trooper dispatch reported.

The crash by the de Havilland DHC-3T Turbine Otter, owned and operated by Rainbow King Lodge, occurred shortly after take-off from East Wind Lake before daylight on Tuesday morning. The pilot was taking the passengers to a remote site for a day of fishing when the accident occurred.

The cause of the crash isn’t immediately known and NTSB investigators say that the on-scene investigation should be complete either Wednesday evening or Thursday. The investigation will continue after the aircraft is transported to a hanger in Iliamna.

Investigators say it will be quite some time before the investigation is over and the cause of the crash is determined.

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