Coast Guard rescues fallen pilot from Glacier Bay

An experimental aircraft crashed in the vicinity of Lac Crillon on Wednesday (18-18-18) when one of its engines was seized. The pilot swam to the ground with his dry bag, fired and was rescued by the Coast Guard. (Photo courtesy of the USCG)

A pilot was rescued from the shores of Lake Crillon in Glacier Bay National Park on Wednesday afternoon (18-18-18), after his plane sailed. is crushed because of an engine failure.

Sentinel reports that the survivor is 38-year-old Alec Wildenstein from Nanyuki, Kenya. Another pilot, Alexis Pelter, witnessed the accident of another plane and went to Yakutat to report it.

The Coast Guard was notified of the incident by the Anchorage Rescue Coordination Center, reporting an experimental aircraft in Crillon Lake. The Juneau Sector Command Center launched a Jayhawk helicopter crew from the Sitka Air Station to search for the pilot.

After crashing, Wildenstein swam to the shore of Lake Crillon with minimal injury. He had a survival bag that contained dry clothes and equipment to light a fire. After being found, Wildenstein was hoisted by the helicopter crew through a cut in the trees and brought back to Sitka.

A Coast Guard press release Thursday (07-19-18) attributed the accident to an engine seizure in flight, forcing Wildenstein to land the plane in the water. He returned about 10 to 20 meters from the shore.

Mark Newkirk praised Wildenstein for his preparation. "He prepared himself for success by having a plan and preparing for the situation with extra clothes, bear foggers, shelter and fire, which allowed us to locate him and to transport it safely. "

The scene was 12 mph winds and an air temperature of 61 degrees.

The survivor of the plane crash, Alec Wildenstein, and the crew of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter arrive in Sitka after a successful rescue. From left to right, Lieutenant Cmdr. Joseph Plunkett, Lieutenant Douglas Eberly, Flight Engineer Mark Newkirk, Flight Doctor Cmdr. Kjersti Koskinen, Wildenstein and rescue swimmer Tyler Sojka. (Photo provided by the U.S.C.G.)