LUTHERAN QUILTERS – Members of the Quilts for Comfort Group stand between pews draped with some of the 205 quilts they made, in the Sitka Lutheran Church Tuesday. The group made the quilts for five local non-profits and one in Anchorage. The remaining quilts are sent to Lutheran World Relief which distributes them to places around the world in need, such as Ukraine, as part of Personal Care Kits. Pictured are, from left, Helen Cunningham, Kathleen Brandt,Vicki Swanson, Paulla Hardy, Kim Hunter, Linda Swanson and Sue Fleming. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
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Daily Sitka Sentinel
Glacier Bay Crash Leaves Pilot Unhurt
By Sentinel Staff
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter crew rescued a pilot in Glacier Bay National Park Wednesday evening after his one-man plane crashed in Crillon Lake and he swam to shore, the Coast Guard said.
Alec Wildenstein, second from right, poses with the crew of the Coast Guard helicopter that rescued him Wednesday after his plane crashed at Glacier Bay National Park. From left are Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Plunkett, Lt. Douglas Eberly, flight mechanic Mark Newkirk, flight surgeon Cmdr. Kjersti Koskinen, Wildenstein and rescue swimmer Tyler Sojka. (Photo provided by the U.S.C.G.)
The downed airplane is pictured in Crillon Lake Wednesday. (Photo provided by U.S. Coast Guard)
The pilot, Alec Wildenstein, 38, of Nanyuki, Kenya, was hoisted from the beach and flown to Sitka with “minimal injuries” and “no major medical concerns,” the Coast Guard said.
The crash was reported by a friend, Alexis Pelter, who was flying another plane and saw what happened. Pelter flew to Yakutat to report the accident, the Coast Guard said.
The Coast Guard had no information about where the two were flying from or their intended destination.
The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center notified the Coast Guard in Sitka to rescue the pilot, who reportedly swam to shore with a dry bag, changed into dry clothes and started a fire.
The Coast Guard said the likely cause of the crash was an “in-flight engine seizure.” The plane was equipped with wheels, and it flipped upon touching down in the lake about 10 to 20 yards from shore, the Coast Guard said.
The FAA will be investigating, the Coast Guard said.
“Being prepared is the key to survival in any emergency situation,” Petty Officer 1st Class Mark Newkirk, the flight mechanic, said in a news release. “He set himself up for success by having a plan and being prepared for the situation with the extra clothing, bear spray, shelter, and a fire, which allowed us to safely locate and transport him to safety.”
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20 YEARS AGO
March 2004
Advertisement: Tea-Licious Tea House & Bakery 315 Lincoln Street Grand Opening! Freshly Baked Scones, Cakes & Pastries Innovative Salads, Soups & Sandwiches Harney & Sons Tea. Lunch * Afternoon Tea * Supper.
50 YEARS AGO
March 1974
Photo caption: National Republican Chairman George Bush takes a drink of water offered by Jan Craddick, Sitka delegate, during the Republican convention held here. Mrs. Craddick explained to Bush that the water was from Indian River, which means, according to local legend, that he will return.