Wave Downed Float Plane In Lake Washington: Fire Officials

RENTON, WA - A small float plane crashed in Lake Washington Sunday afternoon after hitting a wave during takeoff, according to Renton fire officials.

The plane crashed around 2:15 p.m. Sunday off of Gene Coulon Memorial Park. According to Renton fire, the plane hit a wave caused by the wake of a passing boat. The wave forced the plane's pontoon under the water, pulling the aircraft into the lake.

Firefighters from Boeing, Mercer Island, and Renton responded. The pilot was not injured, and the plane was pulled from the water using a crane at the Boeing facilities near Renton Regional Airport.

The morning of the crash, Renton and other local fire departments had been doing water rescue training along the Cedar River.

Image courtesy Renton Regional Fire Authority