What happened
On June 18, 2024, at approximately 1400 Alaska daylight time, a float-equipped Piper PA-18-150, registration N645DT, crashed into Crescent Lake near Moose Pass, Alaska. The flight was being operated by Alaska Float Ratings as a Part 91 instructional flight intended to provide a single-engine sea add-on rating.
The pilot receiving instruction and the instructor pilot departed Trail Lake at approximately 1245, with a planned destination of Bench Lake. The aircraft departed with 25 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel. When the aircraft failed to return by the anticipated time of 1430, a search was initiated, and floating wreckage was discovered on Crescent Lake.
Two witnesses on the northeast shoreline of Crescent Lake observed the aircraft performing several touch-and-go landings in the middle of the lake. During a subsequent northeasterly approach for another touch-and-go, the witnesses observed the airplane pitch down into a nose-low attitude and begin a slight counterclockwise rotation at an estimated 400 feet above the water. One witness noted the airplane pitched up slightly just before it impacted the water. The wreckage subsequently sank.
The investigation
On June 19, 2024, search teams including the Alaska State Troopers, Alaska Air National Guard, and Alaska Army Guard utilized a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to conduct an underwater search. The submerged wreckage was located 194 feet below the surface. ROV footage showed that the left float had been separated from the aircraft, and the inboard leading edge of the left wing showed damage consistent with an impact from the left float.
On June 20, 2024, recovery teams and deep-water divers from the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team recovered the wreckage and the two occupants from the lake bottom. The wreckage was moved to a secure facility for examination.
Both occupants of the aircraft sustained 2 fatal injuries.