Alaska Air Guardsmen rescue downed pilot on theChickaloon Flats

WASILLA —An unnamed pilot crashed his Piper PA-22 aircraftJan. 22 on the Chickaloon Flats, prompting a quick rescue from the Alaska Air NationalGuard’s 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons, according to a recent press release provided byDavid Bedard,176th Wing Public Affairs.The rescue was able to roll out quickly due in large part to the pilot’s accurately registering his plane’s Emerging Lifesaving Technologies, according to Alaska Air National Guard Capt. Wesley Laddwho was quoted in the release.“He affectedhis own rescue by having accurate information,” Ladd said. “I called his cell phone and left a message after the ELT activated.”Alaska Rescue Coordination Center received an alert notification from theemergency locator transmitter inside the pilot’s plane when they were in distress, according to the release. Usingthe location datafrom the pilot’s ELT and communication with Anchorage Approach Control, Ladd dispatched an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th RQS at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson; shortly afterwards, the pilot contacted the AK RCC on his cell phone reporting minor injuries, according to the release.The Pave Hawk landed near the crash site, releasing the para-rescue crewto assess and treat the pilot's injuries, transporting him to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage for treatment according to the release.Ladd was also quoted in the release crediting the pilot for his accurate ELT system that included contact information for the pilot and his family.“He called right back and gave us his exact location and nature of injury,” Ladd said. “I was able to call his wife and let her know what was going on and that we were launching to rescue him.”According to the release, the 210th and 212th Rescue Squadrons and the AK RCC were awarded one savefor their rescuemission.Contact Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at Jacob.mann@frontiersman.com.