NTSB ends investigation into plane that landed in Alaska lake after no major damage reported
Student pilot flying with 2 daughters lands in Kenai Peninsula lake; plane damage considered ‘minor’
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is no longer investigating the circumstances surrounding how a student pilot landed on a frozen lake on the Kenai Peninsula with two children aboard late last weekend.
On Sunday night, Alaska State Troopers were reported of an overdue Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser containing a pilot and two passengers. The pilot, John Morris Jr., and his two juvenile daughters were rescued roughly 12 hours later by the Alaska National Guard after being found by a good Samaritan on Tustumena Lake.
On Thursday morning, the NTSB told Alaska’s News Source that it was no longer investigating the incident, citing that it did not meet the needed threshold for the agency to continue its investigation.
The NTSB added that the incident did not cause significant damage to the aircraft or major injuries to allow them to continue operating an investigation. Morris and his two daughters were taken to a Kenai Peninsula area hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries at the time.
However, according to the Associated Press, Morris failed to report the incident within the required 24-hour window. NTSB said it has since heard from the pilot. Additionally, U.S. official and federal aviation records indicate that Morris was a student pilot and was not allowed to fly with passengers.
Mark Ward, an investigator with NTSB, told Alaska’s News Source that it is the Federal Aviation Administration’s responsibility to determine the consequences.
“We’re just here to find probable cause, the FAA side of the investigation will handle him not reporting the accident,” Ward told Alaska’s News Source over the phone on Wednesday night.
The FAA told Alaska’s News Source its actions depend on the circumstances, noting that it can range from counseling, training, or certification suspension or revocations. The FAA said it was unable to accommodate an interview.
The NTSB said it was unable to comment further on the investigation since it is considered a closed investigation within the agency.
Alaska’s News Source has not been able to reach Morris Jr. despite numerous attempts.
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