A floatplane crash injured four people Wednesday on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast, according to Alaska State Troopers.
The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver, operated by Ketchikan-based Promech Air, went down in some trees near Thorne Bay and Lake Galea, troopers said. The crash occurred about 11:40 a.m. and triggered an emergency locator transmitter, according to the Coast Guard. Promech Air personnel -- who had received radio communication from the pilot saying the plane's engine was dying -- also called for help, the Coast Guard said.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two of the plane's four occupants and returned to get the final two just before 5 p.m., a Coast Guard spokesman said. All were expected to survive.
The pilot was identified as Charlie Kenlin, 65, of Florida. The passengers were Martin Lakey, 37, Michael D. Lakey, 65 and Rich Webster, 65, all of Washington, according to an online dispatch.
Promech Air offers flight-seeing and charter service. A woman who answered the phone at the company's office said the plane that crashed was not providing either service but declined to comment further.
Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.
By CASEY GROVE