A private plane crashed near Eldred Rock on Wednesday afternoon, carrying three passengers and a pilot. Lt. Greg Isbell said it was reported by Alaska Seaplanes to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The plane was returning to Haines from Juneau.
“District 17 Command Center received a phone call from Alaska Seaplanes saying they had overheard a mayday, and the aircraft was a Cessna, and they are going to attempt to land on the east side of Lynn Canal, and they are on the east side of Eldred Rock,” Isbell said.
One person was helicoptered directly to Bartlett Regional Hospital. Isbell said emergency responders picked up the other three survivors at Juneau’s airport.
Hospital spokesman Jim Strader said the first patient arrived around 4 p.m. and was taken immediately to the emergency department.
“Shortly thereafter, three additional patients arrived by land. We began treatment,” Strader said.
Strader said one patient was in critical condition and medevaced to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. The other three were treated for minor injuries and discharged from Bartlett. Those names have not been released yet.
Harborview staff identified their patient as Martha Mackowiak.
The Federal Aviation Administration registry lists Michael S. Mackowiak of Haines as a certified single engine pilot.
The Coast Guard didn’t know why the plane crashed but was told it could have been an “engine malfunction.”
Editor’s note: Our original incremental breaking news updates follow.
Update | 8:30 p.m.
Harborview Medical Center staff identified their patient as Martha Mackowiak.
The Federal Aviation Administration registry lists Michael S. Mackowiak of Haines as a certified single engine pilot.
Update | 6:56 p.m.
Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesman Jim Strader has updated the status of the four plane crash victims.
“At this point in time, we are preparing the patient who was brought here in critical condition for a medevac to Seattle. The other three patients are being prepared for discharge,” Strader said.
TEMSCO Helicopters also helped with the rescue, according to the Coast Guard. TEMSCO could not be reached for comment.
Update | 5:24 p.m.
Bartlett Regional Hospital spokesman Jim Strader said the first plane crash patient arrived just after 4 p.m.
“And that patient was taken immediately to our emergency department. Shortly thereafter three additional patients arrived by land. We began treatment and currently one patient is in critical condition and three patients are being treated for what appear to be minor injuries,” Strader said.
Original story | 4:59 p.m.
A private plane crashed near Eldred Rock Wednesday afternoon. It was carrying three passengers and a pilot. The crash was reported by Alaska Seaplanes to the U.S. Coast Guard, according to Lt. Greg Isbell.
“District 17 Command Center received a phone call from Alaska Seaplanes saying they had overheard a mayday and the aircraft was a Cessna and they are going to attempt to land on the east sign of Lynn Canal and they are on the east side of Eldred Rock,” Isbell said.
Isbell said three people were met by emergency responders at the airport. One person was taken to Bartlett Regional Hospital.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
