The accident left five people injured. Some area residents were on snowmobiles and reached the site before any rescue teams arrived to aid the victims.
According to a statement dated Sunday, which was provided by Jim Stamberg, SEND North’s area director, the four passengers and the pilot of the group SEND North were both in stable condition at Anchorage area hospital. The accident occurred Saturday.
This organization claims to support and manage remote ministry activities in Alaska, Canada and other parts of the world.
The statement read, “We praise God to His protection and mercy.”
From Levelock, the Cessna 206 single engine propellor plane was heading to Port Alsworth. According to Austin McDaniel of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the plane crashed on the frozen Lake Iliamna approximately 8 miles (12.9 km) southwest of Iliamna.
McDaniel stated that poor weather conditions and low visibility between Anchorage, Iliamna, and Kodiak and Iliamna prevented U.S. Coast Guard or Alaska Air National Guard personnel from reaching the area in time to transport the victims.
McDaniel stated that the Alaska Wildlife Troopers helicopter from King Salmon, local aircraft and teams of snowmobiles from Iliamna reached the site faster and treated the injured until other rescue teams arrived.
McDaniel stated that without the help of local Alaskans willing to lend their hand, including volunteers search and rescue teams members, local residents and air carriers, McDaniel could have achieved a different outcome.
According to Alaska State Troopers, five of the passengers on the flight had suffered serious injuries. The troopers provided an update on Sunday, stating that one person was in serious condition while one was in fair and three others were stable.
McDaniel stated that the National Transportation Safety Board was investigating the accident. McDaniel left a message requesting comment to the Alaska head of the board on Monday.
