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Deadly CRASH: 1 dead, 9 missing including a child after floatplane 'NOSEDIVES' into Washington's Mutiny Bay

At least eight ships that have been actively searching for the missing passengers have managed to gather pieces of the plane

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: As many as ten people are believed dead after witnesses claimed to have seen a plane "nosedive" into the water on Sunday, September 4. When the terrifying crash occurred on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, Washington, the floatplane was carrying a child as well as nine other passengers. 

The fatal collision was reported in a tweet by USCG Pacific Northwest on Sunday afternoon. According to a report from media broadcaster Bruce Claggett, "1 confirmed dead from the plane crash off Whidbey Island—no word on the other 8 or 9 passengers." Nine more passengers are still unaccounted for and are believed to have perished in the fatal accident. 

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The plane that crashed in Washington state's Puget Sound had at least one child passenger, according to FOX13. According to Lieutenant Jon Gabelein of South Whidbey Fire, witnesses claimed to have seen the plane "nosedive" into the water. The search will continue into the night, he said, and the numerous teams involved in the rescue effort will have to overcome new challenges. "The darkness right around the corner will be our next challenge...We’ll continue to search the debris in the area, following the tide and the currents; as time goes on we’ll have the lights and the helicopter has night capabilities as well," Gabelein said.

According to KING5 Seattle, the search teams have started to gather pieces of the plane. At 7:44 pm PST, the Coast Guard issued a statement regarding the collision. The message stated, "Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center received a report at 3:11 pm (Pacific Standard Time) that a float plane had crashed with nine adults and one child aboard. The flight left Friday Harbor and was headed to Seattle Tacoma International Airport." The Coast Guard concluded the statement by confirming that "One deceased individual was recovered by crews on scene. Nine individuals remain unaccounted for, and a safety zone has been put into effect to help facilitate search efforts."

The location of the plane's crash, Mutiny Bay, is about an hour north of Seattle. Flightradar24 reports that the 55-year-old de Havilland Canda DHC-3 Otter is the involved aircraft. According to FOX13, at least eight ships were seen continuing their active search well into the evening. The Coast Guard is working with South Whidbey Fire and EMS crews to conduct the search. There are currently five parties looking for survivors. According to a tweet from FOX13, locals up to three miles away reported hearing a loud boom during the collision. The number of survivors and the names of the deceased have not been confirmed. 

The National Transportation Safety Board has joined the crash investigation, they reported. According to the Coast Guard's statement, the incident's cause is unknown at this time.