A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Sitka rescued two on Saturday following a float plane crash south of Ketchikan.
The two rescued were the only people aboard the plane, which crashed at Humpback Lake, about 40 miles southeast of Ketchikan, during takeoff just before 3 p.m., according to a Coast Guard news release.
“This case highlights the importance of having safety equipment that is accessible and in working order,” said Lt. Maren Balke, search and rescue mission coordinator at the Sector Juneau command center. “The pilot was able to call for help using a satellite phone shortly after the crash, and they also activated a personal locator beacon, which allowed our air crew to quickly respond to their exact location.”
The aircrew of the MH-60 Jayhawk recovered the two survivors after lowering a rescue swimmer, and transported them to emergency personnel in Ketchikan, according to the news release. No injuries were reported.
The rescue closely follows another crash northeast of Ketchikan that killed six on Thursday.
• Contact reporter Michael S. Lockett at 757-621-1197 or mlockett@juneauempire.com.
