Wed, Sep 01, 2004
Two Survive, One Lost In Alaska Mishap
Two men survived and one died in an aircraft crash near McGrath
(AK). They were found by an Alaska Air National Guard
search-and-rescue team.
The civilians were attempting to travel from here to Kotzebue in
a De Havilland DHC-3 Otter on Aug. 27. Another airplane, apparently
traveling with them as a group, had taken off minutes earlier and
arrived safely.
That pilot reported the overdue aircraft to Federal Aviation
Administration officials and subsequently the Alaska Rescue
Coordination Center.
Severe weather and heavy smoke in and around the area kept
would-be searchers at bay Aug. 27 and 28, said Maj. Mike Haller an
Alaska National Guard spokesman.
Air Guard officials sent an HC-130 aircraft and an HH-60 Pave
Hawk helicopter.
The HC-130 crew spotted one man, who was waving his hands as
they flew over the wreckage of the DHC-3 Otter about 35 miles
northwest of here, Major Haller said.
Pararescuemen jumped from their aircraft and landed near the
crash site. They were immediately able to help the survivors and
stabilize them, he said.
The Pave Hawk arrived about a half-hour later and brought the
survivors and pararescumen here where they were moved to the
HC-130.
The survivors suffered cuts, contusions, bruises and possibly
some broken bones.
The aircraft arrived at Kulis ANGB where the patients were taken
by ambulance to a local hospital.
An Alaska State Trooper arranged for a civilian helicopter to go
to the scene of the crash and remove the remains of the
deceased.
The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the
cause of the crash.
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