Donald Johnson, 08-08-03
Lawrence Solin
James Morton

ADN, 8/10/03

Three dead after unidentified small plane crashes, burns in woods

SKAGWAY - Three California men died Friday after a small plane crashed off Mile 9 Dyea Road.

Skagway police alerted Alaska State Troopers to the crash at 5:14 p.m. They said a single-engine aircraft had crashed and burned in a wooded area. The fire was confined to the airplane.

A Juneau trooper arrived on scene at about 9:30 p.m.

Troopers Saturday evening identified the pilot as Donald Johnson, 68, of Grass Valley, Calif. The two passengers were identified as Lawrence Solin, 45, of Sacramento, Calif., and James Morton, Jr., 70, of Grass Valley.

All identifying markings on the aircraft were destroyed. Troopers said no known flight plan had been filed for any planes matching the few descriptors available.

The National Transportation Safety Board was to begin an investigation Saturday.

-- Daily News staff and wire