Updated | 2:50 p.m.
Eleven people have survived an airplane crash Tuesday morning on Prince of Wales Island, and were back in Ketchikan early Tuesday afternoon.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the plane crashed on Mount Jumbo on POW, ending up about 2,000 feet up the mountain.
Petty Officer Charly Hengen said the Coast Guard dispatched two rescue helicopters out of Air Station Sitka, and they were joined by Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad personnel.
Visibility was poor, which delayed the rescue. But, eventually rescue crews were able to locate the downed plane.
“One of the Jayhawk helicopter crews did hoist all 11 people from the crash site. They then took them to a staging area,” she said. “At that staging area, there was room enough for the helicopter to land, plus around six or seven other contracted-out helicopters were there, along with emergency medical personnel.”
Hengen said the medical personnel assessed injuries, and those who needed medical attention were taken directly to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center for treatment. Others were brought to Ketchikan.
Chris John of the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad said all the passengers were brought to Temsco helicopters in Ketchikan, and were met by what he estimated were all the ambulances on the island.
John said it’s gratifying to be part of a plane-crash rescue where everyone survives. Hengen agreed.
“We are very relieved that we were able to locate them as quickly as we did with the coordination, and thankful to have the Ketchikan mountain rescue volunteers on standby as well, being able to help out and being available to help as needed,” she said.
Hengen said in an earlier interview that the pilot had activated the craft’s emergency locator, which helped in the rescue efforts. He also was the one to call and report the accident.
She couldn’t confirm the airline that owns the plane, but KTVA has reported it was a Taquan Air floatplane. A call to Taquan seeking comment wasn’t immediately returned.
At the time of this report, Clint Johnson of the National Transportation Safety Board also had not returned a call seeking information.
— Leila Kheiry, KRBD-Ketchikan
Updated | 11:51 a.m.
An airplane with 11 people on board has crashed on Mount Jumbo on Prince of Wales Island.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, all 11 have reportedly survived.
#Update – All 11 people were taken by a #USCG #CoastGuard Air Station #Sitka Jayhawk helicopter to a staging area where they will be taken to #Ketchikan. For those whose injuries need immediate medical treatment, a contracted helo will take them to Ketchikan Medical Center.
— USCGAlaska (@USCGAlaska) July 10, 2018
Petty Officer Charly Hengen said the plane crashed about 2,000 feet up the mountain.
“Sector Juneau watchstanders have directed the launch of Air Station Sitka Jayhawk helicopter crews,” she said. “There are two of them on scene and they’re searching right now for the aircraft. The visibility is kind of low. I was told it was a quarter-mile right now, so it’s making the search difficult.”
The pilot was able to activate the airplane’s emergency locator.
Hengen said with that assistance, they hope to locate the craft and survivors soon. She said the pilot called in the accident.
“He did say that there have been some injuries but everyone was accounted for,” she said. “Hopefully we can find that aircraft very soon and be able to go from there and get those people off of Mount Jumbo.”
Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad crews are on standby, ready to help bring survivors down. Chris John of KVRS said they have helicopters and people near the site. He confirmed that visibility was slowing down rescue efforts.
Hengen didn’t have information about the pilot. The plane has been identified as a de Havilland DHC-3.
— Leila Kheiry, KRBD-Ketchikan
Original story | 11:31 a.m.
A plane carrying a pilot and 10 people crashed Tuesday morning near Ketchikan, and early indications are that all survived, authorities said.
Rescuers were still rushing to the scene of the crash, and little information was immediately available, Anchorage Daily News reported.
The float-equipped de Havilland Otter crashed at 2,000 feet on a mountain on Prince of Wales Island, according to Clint Johnson with the National Transportation Safety Board.
“There are injuries. We don’t know specifically what the extent of those injuries are,” Johnson said.
— Zaz Hollander, Anchorage Daily News
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
