JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard and a civilian helicopter are searching for a missing small plane in Southeast Alaska last reported near Point Howard Thursday.
Coast Guard Sector Juneau received a report of a white and teal Piper Cherokee from Air Excursions, LLC. overdue on a flight from Juneau to Gustavus at approximately 9:17 a.m. The aircraft and the pilot were due into Gustavus at 8:55 a.m. and were last heard from at 8:47 a.m. near Point Howard. The pilot is the only person reported abaord.
A helicopter from the Juneau-based Coastal Helicopters and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Sitka are on scene searching for the small plane. The Coast Guard has also issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting all mariners in the area keep an eye for the aircraft and report any sightings to the Coast Guard.
“Small plane traffic is very common in Alaska and we take any report of lost communications with an aircraft very seriously,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Adam Burleson, a Coast Guard Sector Juneau search and rescue controller. “We have launched a helicopter to investigate and welcome the assistance from Coastal Helicopters who are also searching.”
