Aviation

Floatplane capsizes in Ketchikan; all evacuated safely

KETCHIKAN -- A commercial floatplane with a pilot and four passengers capsized in Ketchikan but all escaped without harm.

The Ketchikan Daily News reports the Alaska Seaplane Tours floatplane was returning from a tour late Monday morning and struck something as it landed in Tongass Narrows.

The Coast Guard says one float was punctured and it took on water.

Ketchikan Police Department Sgt. Andy Berntson says the float was sinking as the plane tried to taxi to a dock.

A skiff helped the floatplane to reach the dock. Officials were not sure if passengers climbed into the skiff or directly onto the dock.

Berntson says the airplane started to sink from the back end and capsized.

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