5 Holland America Line Passengers Die In Alaska Sightseeing Plane Crash

Aug 06, 2021

A floatplane crashed in southeast Alaska, on Thursday killing all six people on board, including five passengers sailing on the Holland America Line cruise ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam who took the sightsing tour in Ketchikan.

In a press release, The U.S. Coast Guard said a search and rescue crew responded to a downed aircraft eight miles northeast of Ketchikan, Alaska after the plane’s emergency alert beacon was activated around 11:20 a.m. in the area of Misty Fjords National Monument.  Coast Guard Air Station Sitka located the plane wreckage at 2:37 p.m. and lowered two rescue swimmers who reported that there were no survivors. One pilot and five people were aboard the aircraft.

The aircraft involved in the accident is a floatplane operated by Southeast Aviation LLC, a company that provides flightseeing tours in the area.

Holland America Line said the five passengers who took an independent flight tour in Ketchikan were sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam, which departed from Seattle on July 31, on a 7-Night Alaskan Explorer cruise.

“Holland America Line confirms that the float plane carrying five guests from Nieuw Amsterdam that was reported missing in Ketchikan, Alaska, has been found. All five guests on board the plane and the pilot did not survive.

This float plane excursion was independently operated and not sold by Holland America Line. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims and with our guests and team members who are affected by this tragedy.” Holland America Line said in a statement. 

After more than a year, Holland America Line resumed Alaska cruises from Seattle with the ms Nieuw Amsterdam on July 24.

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