UPDATE: Floatplane 'did not become airborne' before crash south of Iliamna

UPDATE: A floatplane carrying seven people that crashed south of Iliamna on August 8 did not become airborne before hitting the shoreline of Crosswind Lake, according to federal aviation investigators.

Documents said the pilot told a National Transportation Safety Board investigator he had back-taxied to the far north/northeast end of the lake to use its full length for takeoff.

"He said that during his takeoff run, the airplane did not become airborne before reaching the lake's south/southwest shoreline," according to an NTSB report. "The airplane floats subsequently collided with an area of rising terrain on the shoreline."

The pilot and three passengers were seriously injured in the crash while three others onboard sustained minor injuries.

Katmai National Park and Preserve identified the pilot as 65 year-old Amos Harari of Texas.

Harari's six passengers are identified by the park as: John Chaney, 67, of Pennsylvania, Robert Chaney, 69, Thomas McPherson, 78, of Virginia, William McPherson, 72, of Florida, Christopher Gong, 28, of Naknek, Alaska, and Douglas McQuilliams, 50, of Washington.

Robert Chaney was listed in fair condition on Wednesday.

The de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver is registered to and operated by Rapids Camp Lodge in King Salmon, according to the NTSB.

The plane was traveling to King Salmon at the time of the crash, the NTSB wrote.

Editor's Note: A prior version of this story said the plane was traveling on a sightseeing flight, which was incorrect.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of a floatplane crash in Southwest Alaska on Monday.

Clint Johnson, NTSB Alaska chief, said his agency was notified about the crash at about 5:15 p.m. The preliminary information he got from the Alaska Air National Guard was that a DeHavilland Beaver went down in a body of water 35 miles south of Iliamna. The town of Iliamna is about 225 miles from Anchorage.

“We were notified there was an accident and a rescue was in progress. Initially they reported there were seven people onboard and that there were serious injuries,” Johnson said.

Staff Sergeant Ed Eagerton with the 176th Wing of the Alaska Air National Guard said a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter and a HC-130 King aircraft with pararesuce teams aboard handled the rescue.

They reached the crash site, near Mirror Lake, at 8:20 p.m. and found four of the seven people there were injured.

One person was flown directly to Providence Alaska Medical Center by helicopter. The other three, less seriously injured, were flown to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardon, Eagerton said.

The plane’s tail number indicates the plane is owned by Rapids Camp Lodge, based in King Salmon.

NTSB investigator Mitch Gallo is attempting to reach the owners, Johnson said.

A preliminary report should be out within a couple of days, Johnson said.

The crash occurred as the plane was taking off, Eagerton said.

"It apparently never got airborne," he said.