Plane that crashed killing Megan Hilty's family members in Washington recovered by authorities
WHIDBEY ISLAND, WASHINGTON: The National Transportation Safe Board (NTSB) announced on Monday, September 12 that the wreckage of a float plane that crashed in Washington earlier this month killing all 10 people aboard including three of Megan Hilty's family members has been located.
As per the agency's website, the plane had been found off Whidbey Island and the plane wreckage is located approximately 190 feet down on the Puget Sound sea floor.
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A remotely operated vehicle will be used to recover evidence, due to the depth and the water's 3-5 knots currently. Recovering evidence from the wreckage will determine why the plane went down on September 4.
All 10 people aboard were killed and so far only one body has been recovered, which has been identified as that of Seattle attorney Gabby Hanna. She was 29 and the remaining nine people on board are still missing but presumed dead. Among those 10 people, three were of Megan's family members, her 8-months-old pregnant sister Lauren Hilty, brother-in-law Ross Mickel and nephew Remy.
The 41-year-old spoke for the first time about the unexpected deaths of her family members as she grieved by sharing a heartbreaking post on her Instagram that read, "On Sunday afternoon, a small float plane crashed into Puget Sound off the coast of Whidbey Island. My beloved sister Lauren, brother-in-law Ross and baby nephew Remy were on that plane." "To make this news even more devastating, my sister was eight months pregnant and we were expecting to welcome baby boy Luca into the world next month." She continued, "The last three days have been the worst of our lives. There are truly no words to appropriately convey the depth of our grief," she added.
Megan also mentioned that she did not plan on addressing the losses publicly but she felt she needed to after her "sweet nephew" was "misgendered" in the news and "some haven't even mentioned baby Luca." She added that Ross and Lauren are survived by their daughter, "who we are all holding in our hearts."
"Thankfully, she was not on the plane and we ask that her name and personal information be kept private as she is a minor," said Megan. The Broadway star added, "It is important these details be corrected to respectfully honor everyone we've lost and the loved ones they've left behind."
Lastly, the 'Smash' star expressed gratitude for the "outpouring of love and support." Megan concluded, "It has been so comforting to know just how loved Lauren, Ross, Remy, and Luca truly are."
Pilot Jason Winters, passenger Joanne Mera, civil rights activist Sandra Williams, and her partner retired teacher Patt Hicks, and married couple Luke and Rebecca Ludwig were among others who were killed.
The well-known winemaker and owner of Ross Andrew Wineries, Megan's brother-in-law Ross's family commented on the loss to NBC affiliate KING 5 and confirmed that his wife, Megan's sister Lauren was pregnant at the time of the crash.
"We are deeply saddened and beyond devastated at the loss of our beloved Ross Mickel, Lauren Hilty, Remy and their unborn baby boy, Luca," the statement read in part. "Our collective grief is unimaginable. They were a bright and shining light in the lives of everyone who knew them. Although their time with us was too short, we will carry their legacy forward."