The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a Cessna plane with one person aboard that reported engine trouble in western Prince William Sound on Tuesday.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Rescue Coordination Center in Anchorage received a mayday call from the pilot of a Cessna 180 in the vicinity of Perry Island, said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shawn Eggert. According to a Coast Guard press release, the pilot "stated he may have to set the plane down."
"There were indications (the pilot) was having trouble with the engine," Eggert said. "They got a position for the plane and shortly after that lost contact by radio." The Rescue Coordination Center also reported receiving an emergency locator transmitter signal before losing all contact with the plane, Eggert said.
The Coast Guard cutter Mustang and cutter Sycamore were searching the area Tuesday evening, along with a Coast Guard MH-60 helicopter and C-130 plane from Kodiak. An Alaska Air National Guard helicopter and plane also searched before returning to their base in Anchorage, as did a Coast Guard small boat crew from Valdez, Eggert said.
The Alaska State Troopers and a private vessel also participated in the search.
The rescuers were contending with blowing snow and 200 yards of visibility, the Coast Guard said.