02 September 2014

Lucky or Good?

Either way, they all survived.

Four People Unhurt in Plane Crash near Lake Hood

Four People Unhurt in Plane Crash near Lake Hood
KTUU.com photo
Four people are uninjured after their plane crashed on takeoff from Anchorage’s Lake Hood airstrip Sunday evening.

Reports came in shortly after 6 p.m. of the DeHavilland Beaver’s crash, in the wooded area just north of the airstrip and south of Northern Lights Boulevard.

National Transportation Safety Board investigators at the scene say the aircraft’s engine lost power at an altitude of about 100 feet. After an unsuccessful attempt to restart the engine, the pilot reportedly made the decision to put the plane down in the trees about 150 yards past the runway.

According to NTSB investigator Chris Shaver, the pilot made the right decision and couldn't have done anything differently based on initial findings.

“As a safety professional, we always tend to tell folks that if they do have a problem, especially right after takeoff from a runway, go straight ahead -- don't try and turn back around to try and get to the airport -- and that's exactly what he did,” Shaver said. “He flew the airplane all the way to the ground, and I'm pretty confident that's one of the reasons they all walked away.”

Investigators will spend the next few days looking over the engine, including when it was built and its last maintenance check.

There is no word yet on when crews will be able to remove the plane from the area.

10 comments:

Matt said...

Gonna say lucky. The engine could have crapped out somewhere else and they all ended up dead.

Rev. Paul said...

I'm thinking it's both, Matt. He's a good pilot who got a lucky break when the engine crapped out so close to takeoff.

PioneerPreppy said...

If they had been really lucky there would have been an empty road or field there instead of trees. So I say mostly skill.

Rev. Paul said...

Good point, Preppy; I hadn't thought of that.

Sandy Livesay said...

Rev. Paul,

The good Lord was watching over them.

Rev. Paul said...

Yes, He was. :)

Chickenmom said...

An angel was his co-pilot.

Rev. Paul said...

I think that's a safe assumption, Chickenmom.

Brig said...

A team effort, great pilot,& Great Father protecting.

Rev. Paul said...

Absolutely!