Outdoors/Adventure

The Flying Father who crashed in 2002

The following 12 minute video was professionally made in 1994 and produced in Texas. The footage of the late Father Kelly flying around Bristol Bay was shot in the late 1980's.

father-kelly-bush-pilotFather Kelly crashed into a mountain near Dillingham, Alaska on Palm Sunday, 2002. This video goes out to all Father Kelly's friends.

The mountain where Father Jim Kelly died is below, looking to the south west from Manokotak. Here are the GPS coordinates for the crash site:

N 58 degrees 55.940'

W 159 degrees 15.681'

Highlights of the video include Father Kelly talking with the Flight Service Station in Dillingham, Alaska; flying to King Salmon, Clarks Point, and Dillingham, Alaska; beautiful scenery shots from the air; the blessing of the Dillingham fishing fleet; Mass at Saint Theresa, Clarks Point, and Holy Rosary; interviews with Desmond Hurley, Louise Gardener, Archbishop Hurley, FAA employees, and others.

Since Youtube.com recently changed its upload time to 15 minutes per video, the old VHS was digitalized and this 12 minute video was uploaded.

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As always, fly safe out there!

father-kelly-crash-site-bush-pilotFather Scott Garrett is the Pastor of the Holy Rosary Mission in Dillingham. His unique mode of transportation is a 160 Cherokee Warrior which he uses to fly to the many remote areas within his parish. With the unpredictable weather of southwest Alaska, Father Scott's schedule is always written lightly in pencil.

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