USCG closes case of downed aircraft in Prince William Sound

The Coast Guard, Alaska Air National Guard and good Samaritans responded to a report of three people in the water after an aircraft crashed in Cascade Bay 20 miles southwest of Valdez, Alaska, Tuesday, the USCG reports.

One person is deceased and two other people injured.

Good Samaritans rescued all three people from the plane. A Coast Guard Station Valdez 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew arrived and transported an unresponsive person to Whittier emergency medical services personnel. An Alaska Air National Guard rescue helicopter crew arrived and medevaced the two injured people, taking them to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Coast Guard Sector Anchorage watchstanders received a report from the Cordova police department at 2 p.m., Tuesday that a Cessna A185F Skywagon crashed into Cascade Bay and all three people aboard the aircraft entered the water.

The Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and four good Samaritan vessels responded to the incident. Two people were taken aboard the vessel Vixen and the unresponsive person was taken aboard the vessel Thin Blue Line, who was later transferred to the Coast Guard small boat.

“We want to thank the good Samaritans for responding so quickly to this incident. The ability to respond so promptly was critical to the fast recovery of those in need,” said Capt. Sean MacKenzie, Sector Anchorage commanding officer. “We are truly sorry to hear that one person did not survive the crash. Are hearts and thoughts go out to the family in their time of sorrow.”

Weather at the time of the incident was calm seas, 2 mph winds and a water temperature of 50 degrees.

Next of kin notifications have been made.