The Coast Guard rescued a plane crash survivor approximately 35 miles northwest of Juneau, Sunday.
Sector Southeast Alaska command center personnel launched an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Air Station Sitka at 5:38 p.m. to respond to the last known position of an emergency locator transmitter alert near Excursion Inlet.
At 7:05 p.m., the aircrew located the single engine fixed wing crash site, which was a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, lowered their rescue swimmer, and extracted the survivor from the crash. The survivor was reported to be the only person on the aircraft and was transferred in critical condition to awaiting local emergency medical services at the Juneau International Airport.
Coast Guard District Seventeen command center personnel received the alert at approximately 5:31 p.m. and confirmed receipt of the alert with other aircraft in the vicinity before relaying the information to Sector Southeast Alaska command center personnel to respond.
“Massive thanks and a job well done to the expeditious work of the aircrew that conducted this rescue,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Bitinas, a situation unit watchstander at Sector Southeast Alaska command center. “This individual’s life was saved due to their actions.”
The pilot of the plane, well known in bush flying circles in Southeast Alaska, was later medevaced to Harborview Medical Center’s trauma unit in Seattle, where friends said he is still in rough condition.
Prayers for the pilot to pull through and recover quickly.
Well done! Prayers to the pilot.