Unbelievable Survival Story: Dad and His Two Daughters Endure 12 Hours on a Plane Wing After Crash

A small plane carrying a father and his two young daughters crashed on an icy lake in Alaska on March 23. Miraculously, the family survived on the wing of the plane for about 12 hours after the accident.

The Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, on a sightseeing trip around the Kenai Peninsula, went down on Tustumena Lake. The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported that it was found thanks to a local resident, Terry Godes, who saw a Facebook post seeking help for the missing aircraft. Godes decided to search for the plane early on March 24.

“When I got closer, I saw there were three people on the wing,” Godes recalled. They were alive and waving at him, despite having spent a long, cold night exposed to the elements.

After spotting the wreckage, Godes let other pilots in the search know about his discovery. Dale Eicher, another pilot involved in the search, quickly informed the authorities. “I was really shocked. I didn’t expect to find them alive,” he said.

The Alaska Army National Guard rescued the family later that morning. All three were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The girls were elementary and middle school-aged.

The pilot’s father, John Morris, had shared a heartfelt plea on social media, asking the community for help. He expressed relief and gratitude once he learned his family was safe. “I had air in my lungs again,” he said.

Lieutenant Colonel Brendon Holbrook of the National Guard commented on the rescue operations, explaining the challenges they faced due to the plane’s precarious position on the ice. “The tail had refrozen, preventing it from sinking, which was fortunate,” he said.

Recent statistics show that general aviation accidents, like this one, occur more frequently in remote areas where response times can be long. Experts suggest investing in safety devices, such as locator beacons, could help in similar situations, potentially saving lives.

This blend of community effort, courage, and a bit of luck highlights the resilience of the human spirit, reminding us of the importance of staying connected during emergencies.



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