A plane involved in a fatal crash in the water near Metlakatla has its nose in the water as it is pulled into shore just after 6 p.m., Monday, May 20. (Courtesy Photo | Debra Milton)

A plane involved in a fatal crash in the water near Metlakatla has its nose in the water as it is pulled into shore just after 6 p.m., Monday, May 20. (Courtesy Photo | Debra Milton)

Pilot and passenger identified in floatplane crash

New details shared about fatal wreck near Metlakatla

A 51-year-old pilot and 31-year-old epidemiologist were identified as those who died in Monday afternoon’s floatplane crash near Metlakatla.

Ron Rash of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the pilot of the floatplane that crashed, according to a statement from Metlakatla Indian Community, and Sarah Luna of Anchorage was the plane’s only passenger.

“Sarah was traveling to Metlakatla to see patients at Annette Island Service Unit with other ANTHC staff,” read a statement from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium post. “Sarah joined the ANTHC family nearly a year ago as a Senior Epidemiologist in the Liver Disease & Hepatitis Program. She was an up and coming research professional, who embodied the characteristics most valuable to our team and was truly committed to improving the health and well-being of Alaska Native people. This is a devastating personal loss for many of our staff and partners.”

[Live: Follow live updates on this story here]

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Rash was certified to operate a single-engine seaplane, like the Taquan Air Beaver involved in Monday’s crash, according to Federal Aviation Administration documents.

This is the second fatal floatplane crash in Southeast Alaska within the past week. Ten were injured and six died after last Monday’s mid-air collision near Ketchikan.

Both crashes involved Beaver floatplanes operated by Taquan Air. Taquan Air voluntarily suspended operations Tuesday, according to the FAA, but the airline did not return calls or messages seeking comment.

Good Samaritans and emergency responders pull in a floatplane involved in a fatal crash just after 6 p.m. Monday, May 20. (Courtesy Photo | Debra Milton)

Good Samaritans and emergency responders pull in a floatplane involved in a fatal crash just after 6 p.m. Monday, May 20. (Courtesy Photo | Debra Milton)

Both NTSB and FAA officials were onsite Tuesday to begin an investigation into the crash.

There were unfavorable conditions for approach because of prevailing winds creating swells, according to a chart supplement on aeronautical chart website SkyVector.

The Beaver was up to date on its certification, according to FAA documents, and the aircraft was made in 1959.

The crash occurred around 4 p.m. Monday, and witness statements reported the plane flipped upon impact with the water while attempting to land and quickly submerged, according to a press release from the Ketchikan Emergency Operations Center.

[Hundreds protest “War on Women”]

Triton, a medivac response vessel, and Lady Liv, a 58-foot commercial seiner, secured the plane, which was then transported to shallow waters pending a National Transportation Safety Board investigation, according to a Metlakatla Indian Community statement. Multiple good Samaritans assisted in securing the plane.

Metlakatla Mayor Karl Cook praised the actions of the community in the aftermath of the wreck.

“I’m pretty proud of the community of course,” Cook said during an interview with the Empire. “I think any community in the state would respond the same way. I think the whole state would be proud of what happened here as far as the response. I feel like it’s something that’s bred in us all in Alaska to give a hand without giving it a whole lot of forethought.”


• Contact reporter Ben Hohenstatt at (907)523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BenHohenstatt.


More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Feb. 15

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Gabriel von Eisenstein (David Cangelosi) is pulled in two separate directions by his wife Rosalinda (Sara Radke Brown, right) and Rosalinda’s maid, Adele (Kayla Kohlhase, left) during a dress rehearsal of “Die Fledermaus” on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Juneau Lyric Opera celebrates a chorus of community for 50th anniversary

German operetta “Die Fledermaus” that launched JLO gets revival with old and new voices Friday night.

The Cable Innovator docks in Juneau on Wednesday, March 13, 2025. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Subsea communications cable repair ship makes port stop in Juneau between Southeast projects

Cable Innovator wraps up work in Sitka, now heads for Angoon following regional outage.

The Office of Personnel Management in Washington. (Eric Lee/The New York Times)
Judge orders Trump administration to rehire thousands of fired workers; at least some to get back pay

Treasury, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Defense, Energy and Interior departments affected by order.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, March 10, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Sunday, March 9, 2025

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Alaska State Capitol is seen in partial morning sun on May 10, 2024. (Claire Stremple/Alaska Beacon)
New Alaska revenue forecast worsens state’s big projected budget deficits

The state of Alaska is still facing a significant budget deficit despite… Continue reading

Most Read