Two rescued after plane crash near TalkeetnaTwo hunters from Washington state whose small plane crashed east of Talkeetna on Sunday night were rescued Monday by the Alaska Air National Guard, Alaska State Troopers reported. Neither man was hurt.
The pilot had turned up the wrong valley and was trying to get out of a tight canyon when he crashed, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
The two had sent out an intermittent Mayday on an aircraft frequency, which was heard by an F-22 Raptor on a training mission. However, there were no overdue aircraft (no flight plan???) and the
Alaska Rescue Coordination Center had only a general idea of the location. Then an Alaska Airlines also heard a Mayday with a more specific location. Searchers still were unable to pinpoint the crash.
About the same time, an active duty C-130 from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson picked up an emergency signal from the plane and searched for the beacon, turning the mission over to the Air Guard once the helicopter arrived, said Sgt. Edward Eagerton of the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
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The men were prepared for rough weather but the mayday didn't get picked up until about 3:30 p.m. Monday, a full day after the crash.
The plane used older equipment that transmits on a frequency that can only be picked up by an aircraft flying overhead. Newer beacons transmit information to satellites that are monitored by the U.S. Mission Control Center.
In addition, the pilot told rescuers he had only switched on his beacon intermittently, which is not recommended, Carte said. That practice can delay rescuers, he said.
Moral of the story:
1. File a flight plan!
2. Once you turn your beacon on, leave it on!
3. Get a newer beacon that transmits your GPS location!
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