Squadron Rescues 'Surprised' Pilot, Dog After Aircraft Crash

National Guard, Aug 2004

Alaska

Pararescuemen from the Alaska Air National Guard's 210th Rescue Squadron rescued a pilot and his dog following a crash July 21 in a steep canyon near Knik Glacier, 40 miles north of Anchorage.

The Piper Cub pilot, in his late 60s, encountered a sudden downdraft and crashed his plane in the valley near a river around noon. He reportedly injured his back and dislocated an elbow during the accident.

Rescue Coordination Center officials received a report of an emergency locator beacon signal from the vicinity. Subsequently, a search aircraft and crew from the Civil Air Patrol spotted the wing of a yellow J-3 Piper Cub upside down in the canyon just south of the glacier

Pararescuemen aboard an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter got the call to help.

"We were on a routine training mission near Prince William Sound when we got the call to divert to a possible plane down," said Master Sergeant Paul Barendregt, a pararescuman.

"He was in good physical condition and had already started setting up his survival stuff, preparing for the worst. This was a pretty cut and dry rescue. They aren't always like that," Barendregt said.

The pilot and his dog were flown to a medical center. He later called the pararescuemen to thank them for his rescue.

-Alaska Guard release