It's so rare to see a seaplane land on Lake Nahwatzel, John Acocks had to take a picture of it. He didn't know seconds later it would be in flames.
The two people on board died upon impact. The subsequent explosion triggered a wildfire.
John and his wife, Carol have a summer home along the lake west of Shelton. They watched the two people on board standing on the plane's pontoons moments before taking off. He thought about offering them a snack, or a tow to his dock. He now wishes he had.
As they took off, John snapped some digital photos of the plane. Carol thought the plane sounded odd because the engine kept revving. As the plane left the water she said she found herself rooting for it.
"Make it, make it," Carol remembered thinking.
Carol says just as the plane cleared the lake and crossed into the forest, the once-loud engine went quiet. She watched the plane bank to the left and then nose-dive into the woods.
"I thought, 'Oh no'," said Carol.
Being a school nurse, Carol rushed into the woods with John and her neighbors to help the people on the plane. All they found was the plane fully engulfed. Click here for full story and slide show.
3 Comments
M. Gary Nordlund said:
The float plane crash at Lake Nahwatzel was a surprising shock to me. I have lived on this lake full time for 20 years and have seen several float planes land and take off in nice weather without incident, usually on weekdays when Lake Nahwatzel has very little water traffic compared to weekends. I have taken pictures of them occasionally and enjoy watching them taxi down to the southwest corner of the lake where I live, turn around, and take off in a northeasterly direction toward Seattle. I am sorry this one didn't make it. Sincere condolences to their family and friends.
Laura said:
This is so sad. It was also heartbreaking to watch. I ran into the woods with other neighbors to help but the fire had already started. My thoughts are with the family and friends.
Jennifer said:
I know the father and son personally and worked for them. They will be loved and missed. This is such a tragedy for everyone including the friends and employees that have grown to be a part of their family. Mark was an exceptional man and loved his family so much. Brian was a wonderful father and husband. My hearts breaks for all of them in this horrible time. My thoughts and prayers go out to them now.
The float plane crash at Lake Nahwatzel was a surprising shock to me. I have lived on this lake full time for 20 years and have seen several float planes land and take off in nice weather without incident, usually on weekdays when Lake Nahwatzel has very little water traffic compared to weekends. I have taken pictures of them occasionally and enjoy watching them taxi down to the southwest corner of the lake where I live, turn around, and take off in a northeasterly direction toward Seattle. I am sorry this one didn't make it. Sincere condolences to their family and friends.
This is so sad. It was also heartbreaking to watch. I ran into the woods with other neighbors to help but the fire had already started. My thoughts are with the family and friends.
I know the father and son personally and worked for them. They will be loved and missed. This is such a tragedy for everyone including the friends and employees that have grown to be a part of their family. Mark was an exceptional man and loved his family so much. Brian was a wonderful father and husband. My hearts breaks for all of them in this horrible time. My thoughts and prayers go out to them now.
Jennifer