Chelan County Sheriff's Department(CCCD) - Chelan County Sheriff Mike Harum reports on May 17, 2008 at 4:53 PM RIVERCOM center dispatched a report of an over-turned floatplane on Lake Chelan just south of the Stehekin Landing.  It was determined that a Chelan Airways Dehavilland DHC-2 (Beaver) float plane had crashed into the lake just south of Stehekin as it was attempting to make a routine water landing.  Including the pilot of the aircraft, there were reported to be five occupants on the plane.

National Park Service (NPS) Rangers stationed in Stehekin were the first responders to the scene.  Chelan County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area via boat, and an air force helicopter was dispatched to the scene from Cashmere, WA. 

National Park Service rangers found three occupants from the plane had exited the passenger compartment shortly after impact with the water and were found to be conscious and alert.  The two remaining passengers were eventually freed from the upside down sinking plane. Both were in cardiac arrest and CPR was performed and remained in effect until they arrived at Lake Chelan Community Hospital. William F. Stifter (64 yoa) from Spokane, WA, and Roberta R. Pitts (67 yoa) Stehekin, WA  were pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

The pilot of the plane Howard ("Brick") E. Wellman (61 yoa) of Chelan, received head lacerations and other non-life threatening injuries in the crash.  He was flown from Stehekin to Chelan by the air force helicopter for treatment. Patricia A. Stifter (60yoa), wife of William Stifter, was transported via private vessel to Chelan for treatment of hypothermia.  A sixteen year old Stehekin girl seated in the rear of the plane was treated and released at the scene for mild hypothermia.  She remained in Stehekin with family members.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.  The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were advised of the incident and have investigators that will arrive in Stehekin on Sunday to take over the crash investigation.  Witnesses have indicated the amphibious landing gear (wheels) was protruding from both of the plane’s floats as it attempted the water landing.  It is believed that the protruding wheels caused the plane to nose dive into the water upon impact.  The plane eventually turned completely upside down in the lake.