Washington, United States: Two California men were killed after their float-equipped aircraft struck a high-voltage transmission line and crashed into the Columbia River near the Tri-Cities area of southeastern Washington on Wednesday afternoon, triggering widespread power outages, a brush fire, and a large-scale emergency response.
The accident occurred at approximately 2:29 p.m. PDT on June 24 near the Cable Bridge and Clover Island, between Pasco and Kennewick. According to emergency officials, the aircraft collided with a transmission line spanning the Columbia River before overturning and crashing into the water.
Authorities later identified the victims as Randy J. Peterson, 64, of Sonoma, California, who was piloting the aircraft, and Eric Wayne Houston, 50, also of Sonoma, who was traveling as a passenger. The Franklin County Coroner confirmed both men died at the scene.
Officials said the pair had departed California earlier that day and were en route to Priest Lake, Idaho, where they planned to attend a gathering of seaplane enthusiasts.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft flying unusually low over the Columbia River moments before the crash. According to accounts provided to local media, the pilot appeared to be attempting to fly beneath the transmission lines crossing the river when the aircraft struck one of the lower power cables.
The impact severed the transmission line, causing extensive power outages across the Tri-Cities region. Benton Public Utility District reported that more than 11,000 customers lost electricity.
The power outage extended south of the Columbia River from Highway 395 west toward Leslie Road and affected almost 20% of the public utility district’s customers. Franklin PUD also reported a power outage to about 1,800 customers in Pasco north of the Columbia River to Interstate 182.
The downed power line also ignited a brush fire near Riverview Park and the Pasco Youth Baseball Complex. Firefighters quickly contained the blaze before it could spread further.
Multiple emergency agencies responded immediately to the crash, including the Pasco Fire Department, Pasco Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Basin Dive Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard, Washington State Patrol, and utility crews from Benton PUD and Franklin PUD.
Several witnesses reportedly entered the river in an attempt to rescue the occupants before emergency crews arrived. However, the aircraft had overturned and both occupants were trapped inside.
Rescue personnel later recovered the victims from the submerged aircraft. The floatplane remained partially afloat before drifting downstream, where responders secured it using rescue boats. A crane was later used to lift the wreckage from the Columbia River for investigators.
The Washington Department of Ecology also responded to monitor the river for any fuel spill. Officials later determined there was no significant environmental impact, stating that only a small amount of fuel had escaped and quickly dissipated.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the accident, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local law enforcement.
Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance history, pilot qualifications, weather conditions, flight path, and the circumstances that led to the collision with the transmission line.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating the local investigation while federal authorities determine the probable cause of the crash.
Publicly available Federal Aviation Administration registration records indicate the float-equipped aircraft was registered in Sonoma, California. However, authorities have not officially identified the registered owner, and investigators have not released additional ownership details.
Emergency responders stated that numerous agencies worked together to secure the crash site, recover the victims, restore power, extinguish the brush fire, and ensure public safety throughout the incident.
The NTSB said it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash and will release additional information as the investigation progresses. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks, while the final report may take several months. The cause of the accident remains under investigation.
