Denali National Park and Preserve rangers have decided that safe recovery of the wreckage and passengers from the PA-18 aircraft that crashed on a tributary of the West Fork of the Yenta River on Aug. 9 is currently unattainable.
Over the past week, Denali National Park rangers made attempts to access the accident site through a series of five flights.
The rangers employed technical rope lowering techniques to navigate the rugged terrain, but each attempt encountered a formidable obstacle — significant overhead rockfall hazards that posed a threat to the rescue team.
In an effort to recover the remains of the pilot, Jason Tucker of Wasilla, and passenger, Nicolas Blace of Chugiak, rangers teamed up with TEMSCO helicopter pilots to explore the feasibility of using a mechanical “grabber” attached to a 450-foot-long line.
The equipment was tested at a Talkeetna gravel pit, but it was determined that utilizing the long-line method could endanger the helicopter pilot and spotter due to the uncertainties surrounding the weight and transportability of the wreckage, as well as the limited rotor clearance amidst steep, narrow terrain.
“With great empathy for the families of the deceased pilot and hunter, we have made the difficult determination not to attempt a recovery effort at this time. The steep and perilous terrain at the accident site would escalate the dangers to a level that is unacceptable, risking the lives of our dedicated rangers,” said Brooke Merrell, Denali Park superintendent.
If and when environmental conditions change, such as lower water volume or when the river freezes and allows access on the ground, the Park Service will consider another recovery attempt, the agency said.
I remember a forestry worker saying the crash site wasn’t recoverable the day after the incident. Funny that NPS needed a couple of weeks to get tired of their new toys and exhaust their funding to arrive at the same conclusion.
Hard to believe that the pilot would try flying his plane in that narrow canyon. There is a better way to look for sheep. And go home safely.
Air currents are tricky unpredictable things. He may have not been flying down there. He may have had a mechanical and not been ablle to power out of a downdraft. So many things can happen. Don’t disparage him without evidence.
On the websites pulling up both names they both looked kind-tender hearted and that they would try to be responsible as best as their young 40 years age allowed for their years. To me someone who knows nothing of planes the crash seems like the plane went into a sudden nose dive and tail spin, while there was a flatter greener plateau looking more desirable as a crash resting spot than at the bottom of a ravine unless the plane was out of control in a downward tail spin.
Thank you. Also last I heard they were trying to determine weather conditions, as apparently satellite doesn’t cover that area due to the remoteness. Both men were far too young to die. Nicolas Blace is my great nieces father…she is only 18. We are all grateful for any time and effort put into the potential of a recovery. Both men left behind many loved ones and will be missed greatly. 😢
Use a helicopter drone with a mechanical grabber and an expandable balloon that can be remotely actuated to lift the wreckage and or bodies to an elevation where they can be grabbed by a slow flying Hercules AC trailing a hook!!
Great Comment John. If you look at the wreckage, and draw almost a straight line up the canyon wall about 2/3 up, you will see a small light spot. Is that an outcrop, or could it be a contact point?
Going out to kill and got killed…hmmm
This comment, hands down is the most idiotic one I’ve seen in a long, long time, and I’m being polite.
How about a simple set of log grapples on a 200’ long line. This is not rocket science. Good grief.
Also tell me why Anyone climbed down there.??? It’s not safe. Send a drone confirm the people are dead then grab it with heli logging tines. And no it’s not to far down to grab it with a long line. Is there any common sense left.???
Simple.
Cables and winches.
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