OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Investigators from two federal agencies searched for clues Thursday at the site of a plane crash that killed a Sequim man and injured two Port Angeles women Tuesday night.
The crash occurred in rugged terrain near Heart O’ the Hills Campground about five miles south of Port Angeles.
Plane crashes are routinely investigated by representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
National Transportation Safety Board’s Northwest regional director, Keith McGuire, said he sent two investigators to the scene.
They were inaccessible for interviews because Olympic National Park officials closed trails leading to the crash site, about halfway between Lake Angeles and Lake Dawn.
Barry Koehler, 57, piloted the rented Cessna 182P off the runway at William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles at about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.
Shortly afterward, the aircraft apparently struck trees in the park and broke into pieces, officials from Olympic National Park and rescuers from Clallam County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue teams said.
Koehler died of his injuries.
Passengers Sara Gagnon, 34, and Tammi Hinkle, 32, sustained moderate injuries.