Aviation

Pilot found alive after Southwest Alaska plane crash

A pilot was found alive after his plane crashed on Friday about 93 miles south of Bethel, according to the Alaska National Guard.

There were no passengers aboard the blue and white Cessna 207, said Lt. Col. Candis Olmstead, guard spokesperson.

The plane was first reported overdue around 2 p.m. Friday and a search began, according to Clint Johnson, National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska chief.

The guard launched a helicopter that flew to the crash site near Goodnews Bay, said Olmstead.

The helicopter crew arrived at the crash site at 4:50 p.m. and medics stabilized the pilot, who had facial and spinal injuries, she said. The pilot was flown to Bethel and then taken on a LifeMed Alaska flight to Anchorage, she said.

The cause of the crash was not known Friday evening, Johnson said.

 

Tegan Hanlon

Tegan Hanlon was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News between 2013 and 2019. She now reports for Alaska Public Media.

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