Planes collide in Alaska and the pilots survived. This weekend, 2 small planes collided in mid-air over Mat-Su Valley, about 70 miles southwest of Wasilla, leaving one of the pilots with serious injuries. The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating the matter.
Planes collide near Wasilla, Alaska leaving one of the pilots with serious injuries. On Saturday at around 5:15 p.m., numerous 911 calls were made after 2 planes collided between Knik Goose Bay Road and Vine Road near Mat-Su Valley, southwest of Wasilla in Alaska.
Todd Clark, a resident in the area, who saw the planes collide, told local media that he rapidly called the paramedics and went out to the crash site to help.
According to Alaska authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilots have been identified as 35-year-old Alaska Wildlife Trooper Levi Duell from Anchorage and Jeffry Bara, 52, of Eagle River.
Bara was in a single-engine Piper PA18, while the Alaska Wildlife Trooper fixed-wing aircraft was being piloted by Mr Duell. The small planes did not have any passengers on board.
In a statement issued by a representative for the Alaska State Troopers, it was revealed that while the two pilots were found alive, Alaska Wildlife Trooper Levi Duell sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Anchorage. His condition is unknown.
As for Mr Jeffry Bara, he sustained only minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital. Alaska State Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters said:
“The Alaska Wildlife Trooper was transported by ground ambulance to Mat-Su Regional Hospital. The other pilot had to be extricated and was transported via LifeMed to Providence Hospital in Anchorage.”
Ian Gregor, spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration, explained that the circumstances behind the collision are unknown and went on to add that three investigators have been assigned to this case.
Planes collide in Alaska, now the search for answers begins.
