Pilot dies after seaplane crash at Lake Meridian

Pilot dies after seaplane crash, rescue in Kent

The pilot of a seaplane that crashed in Lake Meridian did not survive, his family said Thursday.

KENT, Wash. - A man has died after a seaplane he was flying crashed at Lake Meridian Park in Kent over the weekend.

The family of the pilot released the following statement on Thursday:

Earlier today, Captain Alan L. Williams passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife of 50 years, along with his four sons, family, and loved ones.

"Alan was a career pilot with a highly decorated 55-year career in aviation. His love of flying was only surpassed by his love for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was a selfless person who was always there to help those around him. Like the love he showed others, our heartbreak cannot be put into words.

"We thank our friends and neighbors for their heroic call to action, as well as the professionalism shown by Puget Sound Fire & Rescue and the Kent Police, who risked their lives to help our beloved father and husband. Because of their combined efforts, and the amazing care provided by the staff at Harborview Medical Center, we were given a few more days with him.

"We are so grateful to the community on Lake Meridian and friends near and far for their unwavering support in our time of need. We request privacy at this time to grieve as a family. In lieu of any flowers or gifts, please make a donation in Alan’s name to The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington."

ORIGINAL STORY (August 24):

"This was a very dynamic, very fluid scene," Division Chief Public Information Officer for Puget Sound Fire Pat Pawlack said. It happened at 10:10 a.m. on Saturday.

"We received word while en route that it was upside down in the lake," Pawlack said.

As of Saturday afternoon, the plane was still in the water. Only parts of the landing gear could be spotted just above the surface from a nearby dock. Pawlack told FOX 13, the pilot was the only person on board.

He told FOX 13, when crews arrived on scene, three civilian boats were out and around the plane, and they had a couple of lines to it to stop it from sinking.

He added, some of the neighbors were also in the water, while others waited for first responders at the community park before taking them to the scene. With the neighbor’s help, crews rescued the pilot. They treated him for life-threatening injuries and then took him to a Seattle hospital.

"We would like to send out our heartfelt thanks to all of the neighbors who assisted in this," Pawlack said. "If it was just up to us and law enforcement, and we didn’t have the support of the community to have their boats there, have additional boats to get us out there this may have had a different outcome… as far as the family, our thoughts and prayers are with them." The circumstances surrounding the crash are unknown at this time," Pawlack said.

He added, Puget Sound Fire and other agencies are in contact with the NTSB, FAA and the Department of Ecology about the next steps into this investigation.