KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard rescued two men after their plane crashed near Chilkat Range approximately 10 miles east of Gustavus, Wednesday night.
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew safely rescued the men and transported them to Juneau International Airport.
Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders received a report from Alaska State Troopers that an emergency distress signal was reported from a Cessna 180. The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of the Jayhawk crew to assist the Alaska State Troopers in the search.
Both survivors were located and found in good health. The men were headed from Juneau to Yakutat but crashed after trying to land in the Endicott River Valley.
“We were lucky they were safe, and are grateful we could get to them,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Chris Belisle, rescue swimmer aboard the Jayhawk. “The weather was on our side and made the rescue easy and uneventful.”
Weather at the time of the search was reported as calm with 10 mile visibility, clear skies and 39-degree air temperature.
