SAN FRANCISCO, June 11 (Xinhua) -- Two men have been confirmed killed in a floatplane crash over the weekend in southeast Alaska, Alaska KTUU TV channel reported Monday.
The report quoted Alaska State Troopers (AST) as saying that the victims were the pilot, 45-year-old Stonie Huffman from the city of Sitka in southeast Alaska, and 66-year-old James Ronge from California on the West Coast.
The Piper floatplane with the two people aboard left Sitka Saturday night for a 20-minute flight and never returned.
An extensive search by the Coast Guard and other rescue teams has found the victims' bodies. The AST and the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will begin investigation into the incident soon.
"The intent for the next 24 hours, or as soon as possible, is to get to the accident site and document to the best of our ability," Alaska KCAW radio quoted Clint Johnson, Alaska region chief for the NTSB, as saying Monday.
"(The plane) is partially submerged in some brackish water. Then, we' ll go into recovery of the wreckage," he said.
The small aircraft was a white and red colored PA-18 Super Cub floatplane.
