Update: 2 killed in float plane crash on Lake Chelan

STEHEKIN, Wash. - Two people were killed Saturday when a float plane carrying five people crashed into Lake Chelan near the remote resort community of Stehekin in the North Cascades.

The single-engine DeHavilland Beaver was a charter flight from Chelan Airways that had taken off from the town of Chelan about 4:30 p.m. It crashed about 15 minutes later, flipping onto its top as it tried to land at Stehekin, said Jeff Middleton, chief criminal deputy for the Chelan County sheriff's department.

Some witnesses said the plane's wheels were not retracted when its floats touched down, causing the plane to flip.

Roberta Pitts

Killed in the crash were William F. Stifter, 64, of Spokane, and Roberta R. Pitts, 67, of Stehekin, said a spokesman for the Chelan County Sheriff's Office. They were pronounced dead on arrival at Lake Chelan Community Hospital.

The pilot, Howard "Brick" E. Wellman, 61, of Chelan, received head lacerations and other non-life-threatening injuries in the crash. He was flown to Chelan by helicopter for treatment.

Patricia A. Stifter, 60, wife of William Stifter, was taken to Chelan by boat for treatment of hypothermia.

A 16-year-old Stehekin girl seated in the rear of the plane was treated and released at the scene for mild hypothermia. She remained in Stehekin with family members.

The plane was being recovered by officials on the scene, and the National Transportation Safety Board would investigate the cause of the crash, Middleton said.

Witnesses said the plane's wheels were protruding from both of the plane’s floats as it attempted the water landing. It is believed that the protruding wheels caused the plane to nose dive into the water upon impact. The plane eventually turned completely upside down in the lake.

Stehekin is a remote hamlet at the north end of Lake Chelan accessible only by boat or float plane or by hiking in through North Cascades National Park.