Thomas Iversen 2008-07-13
Bradley E. Johnson
Roger Ball

Identification of plane crash victims delayed

ADN, July 15, 2008

NIKISKI -- Alaska State Troopers say it could be another two or three days before the state medical examiner's office can confirm the identities of two passengers killed in a fiery plane crash Saturday.

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending an investigator from Anchorage to the crash site today.

He will put together a preliminary report in a few days, said Jim LaBelle, spokesman for the NTSB. It may be up to six months before the final report is complete.

The late-morning crash of the floatplane on the west side of Cook Inlet across from Nikiski killed all three people on board, including 60-year-old pilot Thomas Iversen.

Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said the plane was engulfed in flames after it crashed near the abandoned village of Kustatan, near Tyonek.

A report of the crash came just after 11 a.m. Saturday.


Passengers who died in plane identified

The Associated Press, July 18th, 2008

CLOQUET, MINN. -- Funeral homes in Minnesota and South Dakota have identified the passengers killed after a floatplane crashed and burned on the west side of Cook Inlet.

The Handevidt Funeral Home in Cloquet, Minn., said one of the victims was 46-year-old Bradley E. Johnson. His funeral is scheduled for Monday in Cloquet.

The Paetznick-Garness Funeral Chapel in Groton, S.D., said the other passenger was 56-year-old Roger Ball of Conde, S.D. His funeral will be Tuesday.