Two rescued after plane crash near Talkeetna

TALKEETNA — Two Washington state men spent the night along Iron Creek after the plane they were flying in crashed July 1.

Alaska State Troopers say they were called to respond around 3:30 p.m. for reports that an aircraft had crashed in the Talkeetna River and Iron Creek area, near Talkeetna.

Troopers say an Alaska Airlines jet flying overhead picked up a mayday signal from the Piper PA-12 and relayed it to the Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control center.

According to an AST press release about the rescue, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center sent an HC-130 Aircraft and an HH-60 Pavehawk Helicopter to the area.

Pilot William Gough, 67, and passenger Alan Thompson, 65, both of Washington, were recovered at the crash site, unharmed.

Gough and Thompson had been flying to a hunting camp up the Talkeetna River on the evening of June 30 when they crashed due to poor weather conditions and steep terrain, according to troopers.

It was nearly 24 hours after the crash before the plane’s relay signal was picked up and relayed to the rescue coordination center, troopers said. But both men were prepare for the weather and stayed with the crash site until they were rescued Monday.

Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are ongoing.