Underwater search continues in fatal Columbia River plane crash

Columbia Basin Dive Rescue returned to the Columbia River on Sunday to assist federal investigators searching for additional aircraft debris from last week’s fatal floatplane crash near the cable bridge.

Working with Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol, dive teams searched the Columbia River from the power transmission line struck by the aircraft west of the cable bridge downstream to the railroad bridge. Divers first used sonar to map the river bottom before conducting underwater searches for aircraft debris that may have separated from the plane during the crash.

The operation lasted about four hours as divers documented the search area with underwater imaging that will be provided to federal investigators as the National Transportation Safety Board continues examining the June 24 crash.

The crash occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m. June 24 when a 1949 single-engine Cessna floatplane clipped a high-voltage Benton PUD transmission line crossing the Columbia River just west of the cable bridge. The aircraft crashed into the river and drifted downstream before emergency crews secured it near the Pasco shoreline. Pilot Randy J. Peterson, 64, and passenger Eric Wayne Houston, 50, both of Sonoma, California, died in the crash. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into what caused the accident.

Because the investigation remains active, dive team members said they were unable to discuss details of Sunday’s search. Underwater imagery and documentation collected during the operation will be provided to the NTSB as the investigation continues.

~ Scott Hunt is a local photojournalist and writer who contributes regularly to the Tri-City Herald.