SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The U.S. Coast Guard says it has suspended the search for 10 people who went missing after a seaplane crashed into the waters of Washington's Mutiny Bay on Sunday.
The plane was headed to Renton Municipal Airport when it crashed on Sept. 4 in Mutiny Bay off Whidbey Island, roughly 30 miles northwest of downtown Seattle.
USCG released the names of the passengers and crew Tuesday morning. CBS 8 learned one of the victims was from San Diego.
The niece of 60-year-old passenger Joanne Mera said she was visiting family in Seattle at the time of the seaplane crash. Mera was born and raised in San Diego and was a successful business owner for over 30 years. She leaves behind a husband and three children.
Mera’s family sent CBS 8 the following statement:
“Joanne Mera was someone everyone gravitated towards, she was the life of any party and the soul of our family. She was the best mom, wife, sister and friend. Our hearts are shattered, not just for our family’s loss, but for the loss we know other families are feeling right now. Joanne was 60 years old, a successful business owner of over 30 years in San Diego who was visiting family in the Seattle area at the time of the crash. She’s survived by her 3 children, her husband of over 30 years, sisters, brother, nieces and nephews and a whole lot of people who loved her.”
Mera co-owned Pacific Events Production, an event production, design and rental company in San Diego. In a statement posted on their social media the company wrote:
"On Sunday, September 4th, we lost our company matriarch, Joanne Mera in a tragic sea plane crash near Seattle that took her life and that of nine other souls. Joanne was leaving special family time to be home today to celebrate her wedding anniversary with husband Victor. For over 33 years, Joanne has served as the heart of PEP. As my business partner, work wife, friend and friend who became family, I have watched firsthand Joanne’s commitment to her family, her friends, her team, our clients and industry partners. She so loved working with each of you. Our work fueled her and the relationships she built with you, even more. Joanne was passionate about people, their stories and their dreams. Her bright colors, her love of being connected and her ability to bring levity to every conversation were hallmarks to PEP, our culture and our relationships with you."
The plane that crashed was a de Havilland DHC-3 Otter single-engine propeller plane, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The plane was operated by Friday Harbor Seaplanes, which is a service owned by Northwest Seaplanes.
CBS 8 interviewed Mera in 2002, as she began genetic testing for breast cancer, after losing two sisters to the disease.
“When you see someone close to you that you love die, the kids that they leave behind – it’s very sad," Mera said at the time.
