Based on the sketchy information presented so far by anyone, no one should rush to judgement about anything.  They are safe.  No one has said the plane crashed or not.  Obviously taking off from Lake Hood, the plane was on skis.  The Kenai has frozen lakes covered with snow to land on.  The plane ELT was activated.  It could have been automatic or manually activated.   Don't jump to conclusions!  Obviously the pilot, if they fly again, will have a better ELT but wait for facts before judgement.