— from Sheriff Ron Krebs —

Yesterday, Thursday, August 2, at approximately 5 p.m. a pilot reported seeing an aircraft go down somewhere on the south end of Lopez Island near the airport. Sheriff’s deputies along with Lopez Island Fire and Rescue mobilized to search for the plane and incorporated the help of the US Navy, Coast Guard, Civil Air Patrol and Island Air.

At approximately 6:40 p.m. the plane was located. Two Friday Harbor residents were found deceased.

At this time the NTSB and the FAA are investigating into the cause of the crash.