Pilot and Two Children Rescued After Hours Stranded on Airplane Wing After Crashing into Icy Alaska Lake
A pilot and two children spent nearly 12 hours stranded on the wing of their crashed plane in a freezing Alaskan lake when a good Samaritan's quick response led to their rescue. The small aircraft, a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, went down in Tustumena Lake on Sunday during a sightseeing trip.
Terry Godes, after seeing a Facebook post seeking help with the search, took off Monday morning to scan the area. While flying near the glacier-fed lake, he initially mistook what he saw for wreckage. However, as he descended for a closer look, he spotted three people on top of the plane's wing, waving for help. Godes quickly radioed the discovery to other pilots involved in the search.
Dale Eicher, another pilot in the area, relayed the information and coordinates to authorities, recognizing that his cell service was likely better. The Alaska National Guard responded swiftly, rescuing the stranded pilot and children from the wing of the submerged plane.
Eicher noted that the search conditions were challenging due to cloud cover over much of the mountainous area. Despite the difficulties, the survivors were found within an hour of starting the search, an outcome he described as "very good news."
The plane had taken off from Soldotna on Sunday for a sightseeing flight to Skilak Lake on the Kenai Peninsula. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Alaska State Troopers reported that the three survivors were taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening. They had endured a long, cold night in temperatures dropping into the 20s (subzero Celsius), with only the partially submerged wing of the aircraft keeping them above the freezing water.
Godes described the survivors' endurance as miraculous, emphasizing the series of fortunate circumstances that contributed to their survival, from the plane not sinking completely to the trio being able to stay on the wing until help arrived. The aircraft was found mostly submerged, with only the wing and the top of the rudder visible above the ice and water.
Tustumena Lake, a 60,000-acre body of water about 80 miles southwest of Anchorage, is known for its sudden, dangerous winds. The lake’s proximity to mountains, a glacier, and unpredictable gusts makes it hazardous for both boats and aircraft. A meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Anchorage noted that the terrain can cause unexpected wind shifts, even under relatively stable conditions.
Alaska’s vast and remote landscape leaves many communities dependent on small planes for transportation. The state has seen multiple aviation accidents in recent years, including a crash in February that claimed 10 lives when an overloaded commuter plane crashed into sea ice near Nome. In another incident five years ago, a midair collision near Soldotna resulted in the deaths of seven people, including an Alaska state lawmaker.
Comments