3 days, 2 plane crashes, 0 injuries

MAT-SU — Last week saw a pair of plane crashes and no serious injuries.

The first came July 6 near the Knik River. According to a press release from the state’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the Alaska National Guard sent a helicopter to pick up two people who crashed there.

The plane went down between Pioneer and Twin peaks. The Pave Hawk helicopter couldn’t land there so guardsman lowered themselves down to the victims.

“They crashed at the 3,000-foot level,” Rescue Squadron combat rescue officer Maj. Joe Conroy said. “They were shivering pretty bad when we got there because the elements were already working against them.”

The operation took about two hours from when the call came in at 10:05 a.m. and when the victims were hoisted into the helicopter at 12:20 p.m.

“In a plane crash, time is always a factor and adrenaline was probably pumping right after the crash for these victims,” said Tech. Sgt. Gail Paculba, with the state’s Rescue Coordination Center. “So the speed in which we are able to get victims from the crash site is beneficial for everyone.”

A very brief Federal Aviation Administration report on the crash says the plane went down “under unknown circumstances.”

The second rescue of the week is related in an Alaska State Trooper press release. Troopers launched a helicopter at around 3:30 p.m. Saturday after receiving report of a downed airplane in the Point MacKenzie area. Troopers landed their helicopter to make sure everyone was OK.

Troopers say the Cessna 206 was flying from to Lake Hood in Anchorage. Onboard were pilot Leo J. Chapman, 52, of Anchorage and four passengers. Chapman told troopers he’d lost engine power during the flight and made an emergency landing.

Chapman and his passengers were flown to an Anchorage hospital in a private helicopter, evaluated and released. Troopers say the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA have been notified.

Contact Andrew Wellner at andrew.wellner@frontiersman.com or 352-2270.