CHITTENDEN — On Aug. 16, at approximately 11:40 p.m. police received a 9-1-1 call about a plane that had crashed into Chittenden Reservoir. The aircraft was a type of seaplane. It was found upside down but floating in the water, police reported. There were no injuries or fatalities as a result of the crash.
The pilot, James Booth, age 72 of Pittsford, Vt. and his passenger Cindy Steinmann, age 69 of Athens, Ga. were both able to remove themselves from the aircraft on their own. They were then helped by nearby kayakers on the Reservoir. Booth had reportedly been trying to land the plane on the Reservoir when it crashed. Troopers continue to investigate the cause of the crash and are working with FAA inspectors to do so, according to Sgt. Henry Alberico of the Vermont State Police.
Recovery efforts to remove the float plane as quickly and safely as possible were on-going Sunday afternoon. At approximately 6 p.m., members of the Vermont State Police reported that they had successfully secured from the crash scene at the Chittenden Reservoir and that the seaplane has been successfully and safely recovered.
The recovery was a joint effort between the Vermont State Police, Chittenden Fire & Rescue, Vermont Fish and Game, Hop to It Towing, and members of private scuba recovery team. The investigation is still active and being handled by the Vermont State Police and the FAA. The Chittenden Reservoir reopened for public use that evening.
