Plane With 9 Passengers Crashes In Alaska

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, a plane with nine passengers was found crashed on a cliff in southeast Alaska Thursday. The small aircraft, which was operated by sightseeing tour company Promech Air, was reported missing at around 2 p.m. The conditions of those onboard, including eight cruise ship passengers and the pilot, were not disclosed. Update: Authorities have confirmed there were no survivors.

The plane was discovered around 800 feet above Ella Lake in the Misty Fjords area in Ketchikan Borough, according to NBC News. Officials said they were notified about a turboprop Otter that had not returned and began to track its emergency locator transmitter. That's when a helicopter pilot saw the crashed plane. The cause of the crash is currently unknown. According to local station KTUU, weather conditions were overcast with heavy cloud cover around the timeframe of the crash.

The National Transportation Safety Board tweeted it was gathering more information about the crash. In a statement, Seattle-based cruise line Holland American Line said the flight was sold as part of an excursion offered by its MS Westerdam cruise ship and that eight passengers were on board.

We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those on board the plane and their families. Holland America Line is extending its full support to traveling companions of the guests involved.