Alaska Air Guard helps rescue victims of plane crash

Members of the Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Squadron, National Park Service and Talkeetna Air Taxi rescued nine victims of a plane crash on Tokositna Glacier in Denali National Park and Preserve on July 12.

According to an NPS press release, K2 Aviation reported to NPS Rangers that one of their DHC-2T Turbo Beavers lost power during a scenic flight and was forced to make an emergency landing next to Tokositna Glacier, 36 miles northwest of Talkeetna. K2 reported no injuries.

The pilot of the Beaver made an emergency landing in an area of ​​dense alder bush, and an NPS A-Star helicopter landed nearby to transport the occupants to a flat gravel bank at the base of the glacier.

NPS requested assistance from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, which in turn requested assistance from the 176th Squadron. The squadron’s search and rescue officer launched a HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter from the 210th Rescue Squadron with rescue parachutists from the 212th Rescue Squadron on board.

The Pave Hawk picked up five people, a Talkeetna Air Taxi R44 picked up three people, and the NPS A-Star transported the last person. Paramedics met the helicopters in Talkeetna. All nine victims declined medical treatment.

NPS officials are working with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator to remove the aircraft from the scene of the accident.

Brooke Merrell, director of Denali National Park and Preserve, praised all organizations involved in the rescue.

“We are grateful for the quick response and coordination of our rangers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and Talkeetna Air Taxi,” said Merrell. “The safety of our visitors is our top priority and we are relieved that everyone involved is safe.”

This article was written by David Bedard, 176th Wing Public Affairs, and distributed by the National Guard.