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1 dead, 2 hurt in seaplane accident near near EAA AirVenture

Posted at 5:04 PM, Jul 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-28 18:26:08-04

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) -- A federal investigator says one person from Minnesota has died and another remains in critical condition after a seaplane accident near an aviation convention in Wisconsin.

Investigator Dan Baker of the National Transportation Safety Board says the victim died Friday. Winnebago County Chief Deputy Coroner Chris Shea says the woman was a passenger. Her name was not released.

Baker says a third injured person is out of the hospital.

Investigators say the plane crashed while it was trying to take off on choppy water near the EAA Seaplane Base. Out of the three people on board, one of the passengers looks to be ok. Officials say they expect that person to be released from the hospital sometime Friday.

Sheriff's officials say two people were trapped in the plane and the third was able to get out. Photos taken during the rescue show the plane was nearly submerged as crews worked to free them.

One of the first responders was also injured with a cut hand and burns from fuel in the water.

Experienced pilots Sharon and Robert Stebbins say when dealing with choppy water you have to be careful.

“It is a challenge and you need to use all of your pilot skills and also have really good judgment,” said Sharon.

“It’s an unfortunate situation, they got caught in a bad situation and too bad. I hope the people will come out alright on this," said Robert.

All of the passengers are from Minnesota. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board is Handling the investigation.