US plane crash leaves nine dead

EIGHT cruise ship passengers and their pilot died on a sightseeing excursion in Alaska when their small plane crashed in remote and rugged terrain.
WIND and rain prevented any recovery after the wreckage of the aircraft was found on Thursday against a granite rock face, in southeastern Alaska.
Emergency crews will try to recover the remains of the victims on Friday, whose names have not been released. There was no immediate indication why the plane went down. It was too soon to know circumstances of the crash, including whether the plane flew into the cliff, said Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska office. "The initial rescue crew that went in had a very tough time because of the terrain," Johnson said. "It's a very steep, mountainous area, and weather conditions caused them to stand down." Promech Air, an airline based in Ketchikan, operated the shore excursion sold through Holland America Line, the cruise ship company said in a statement. The eight passengers were guests on the Westerdam, which is on a seven-day cruise that departed Seattle on Saturday. "We are incredibly distressed by this situation, and our thoughts and prayers are with those onboard the plane and their families," the statement said. "Holland America Line is extending its full support to travelling companions of the guests involved."