UPDATE: Missing plane presumed crashed; names of pilot & passengers released

(KTUU)
Published: Dec. 8, 2016 at 7:04 PM AKST
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UPDATE: 4:20 P.M.

Crews recovered the co-pilots seat and three wheels of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft Friday, according to the National Park Service. The search for the four passengers on board will hopefully continue Saturday if weather cooperates.

The missing Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft that carried four Port Alsworth residents is presumed to have crashed Wednesday into the waters of Lake Clark.

The four passengers on board the plane have been identified as Port Alsworth residents Scott Blom, 45, his children, Kaitlyn Blom, 14, and Zach Blom, 13, and pilot Kyle Longerbeam, 25.

Megan Richotte, public affairs liaison for the Park Service, said weather has been the biggest challenge so far for search crews.

"Early December, this year is no exception, we usually have ice fog forming on the lake particularly in the night and in the morning," said Richotte. "As fog forms on the lake, visibility is really difficult so not only are we dealing with short daylight hours as well as cold temperatures we are also dealing with low viability for aircraft."

The Blom family released a statement late Friday afternoon regarding their loved ones on board the missing plane:

"On Wednesday, December 7th, an airplane with 4 people on board, all residents of Port Alsworth, Alaska, left Port Alsworth bound for Anchorage to cheer on their Tanalian Lynx volleyball team at the Alaska State Championships. When the plane did not arrive on time, search parties were deployed and eventually found debris and passengers’ belongings on the waters of Lake Clark. The search for more evidence continues. The pilot was Alaskan guide and great friend to many, Kyle Longerbeam. The passengers were Scott Blom and his children, Kaitlyn Blom (14) and Zach Blom (13). The children were both well-loved honor roll students at Tanalian School of the Lake & Peninsula School District. Scott and his wife, Julie, spearheaded a nationwide leadership training program for college students and military cadets through Lifelines, a branch of Cru. The Bloms are based out of their home and lodge on Lake Clark and have a passion for serving Alaskans and helping them develop their own relationship with Jesus Christ. Scott Blom was also the boys basketball coach at Tanalian High School. Their oldest son, Josh, is a freshman at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Their second oldest son, Sam, is a senior and Student Body Vice President at Tanalian School. The family is so grateful to all for the outpouring of love."
Update

The missing Piper PA-28 Cherokee aircraft that carried four Port Alsworth residents is presumed to have crashed into the waters of Lake Clark, according to the National Park Service. Search crews will be at Lake Clark today, if weather permits. Water in the area is around 375 feet deep.

According to a National Park Service press release, aboard the plane were four Port Alsworth residents: pilot Kyle Longerbeam, 25, Scott Blom, 45, and his children, Kaitlyn Blom, 14, and Zach Blom, 13.

The National Park Service and the National Transportation Safety Board focus on Lake Clark's waters, near the area where the passenger items and debris were found, says John Quinley, Associate Regional Director of Communications & Operations for the park service.

Depending on weather conditions, search crews will head out with boats and aircrafts, today, says Quinley. And on Saturday, an Alaska State Trooper helicopter will join the search effort.

Original Story

Debris believed to be from an aircraft that went missing on a flight from Port Alsworth to Anchorage on Wednesday was located in Lake Clark National Park earlier today, according to a press release from the National Park Service.

At about 3 p.m., items belonging to the occupants of the Piper PA-28 Cherokee were located floating on Lake Clark by searchers on a boat based in Port Alsworth. The items were found north and east of Port Alsworth.

According to John Quinley, Associate Regional Director for Communications & Operations for the park service, The families of the pilot and three passengers on board are being notified this evening.

The investigation, search and planning for recovery will continue on Friday