From www.komotv.com today.

MASON COUNTY - Family members have released the names of the two victims who were killed when their float plane crashed into a field in rural Mason County as it was taking off on Thursday afternoon.

 Mark Storer, 51, and his youngest son, Brian Storer, 24, were killed in the crash, family members said. The two men were the only ones on board the plane, which was registered to Mark.

"Today was his (my father's) chance to get away with my brother and they were both extremely excited to do it," said Jared Storer, brother and son of the victims, on Thursday night.

Jared said all that's known about the crash so far is that the pair ran into trouble when they tried to take off from Lake Nahwatzel.

"When it looked like they had the problem solved they tried to take off. And beyond that, there was a plane crash. I don't know any other details," he said.

Carol Acocks, a witness, said she saw the float plane make three previous attempts to take off from the lake. She said the plane's two occupants got out, looked at the plane and attempted to take off again.

She said the plane had just cleared the trees when its engine cut out. It then began losing altitude and crashed.

Another witness, Ryan Holden, said the plane's engine was very loud as it took off - much noisier than most of the float planes that take off from the lake. He said the plane's occupants seemed unconcerned and were apparently enjoying themselves.

"We know there were at least a couple attempts (to take off), and on the third attempt, they were at least able to get airborne," said Det. William Adam. "It was at that airborne attempt that they traveled maybe 200 to 300 yards from the lake and crashed into the forest."

The crash ignited a fire in a forest 11 miles west of Shelton. Crews bulldozed fire lines around the blaze in the forested terrain, and a helicopter was able to extinguish the flames with water scooped from the nearby lake with a bucket.

Fire crews quickly set up a staging area and cut a path through the forest to the 3-acre fire.

Crews were forced to stay some 30 feet back from the crash site, but the blaze was contained within hours.

The crashed plane was registered to Mark Storer, who owned Airport Towing and Burien Towing. Jared described Mark as a detailed-oriented pilot with seven or eight years of experience. The only thing he loved more than flying, Jared said, was his family.

As for his brother, Brian, Jared said he was full of life and love.

"My brother, Brian -- he was a reflection of my dad. He was a great husband and he was a loving father," he said.

Jared said no one in his family was prepared for such a sudden tragedy, and said family members could not imagine life without Mark and Brian.

"They did a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff for the people they love, for their community," he said. "They were both just wonderful people and they are both going to be truly missed."

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

My heart is very heavy hearing about this.

Mark and I shared a table at the Grounded Hogs dinner this past winter.  We both arrived late and found that it was just us 2 at a table for eight.  Got a chance to get to know a new friend and hear about his love for flying.

Mark and Brian, peaceful flying over the great pond.....

My condolences to the family and friends of the victims.

I happened to fly over the accident site on my way to Hoquiam yesterday, apparently soon after the accident occurred.  I made a half turn over the smoke and could see the flames of the fire, but at the time I did not know the fire was due to an airplane crash.  When I passed over, there were several vehicles along the road next to the field so I didn't report the fire.   The bulldozer that cut a circular fire break and the fire fighting helicopter had not arrived yet.

It was sobering to hear on the news after I got home that what I had seen was due to an airplane accident.

I flew with Mark for several hours as he started working on his instrument rating. He was flying a G100-equipped C172 that he owned at the time (he sold that airplane and bought a floatplane, apparently the accident aircraft).

This is a obviously a very sad accident. It also hits a little closer to home than most.

There will be a memorial service this Thursday, July 31st, for Mark and Brian in Tukwila.

Go to www.burientow.com for information, directions and also info on donating to the fund for Brian's young family at Sterling Savings banks.