Member overdue in Denali National Park

[KG]

Association member, and my friend, Dan McGregor is overdue and missing in his 185 from a flight over Denali National Park, AK. (Dan sold his 170 recently and replaced it with the C185)

http://www.ktuu.com/Global/story.asp?S=11321584

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

Our thoughts will be for Dan and his passengers safe return. Keep us informed.

[mit]

They found them.

[KG]

3:30 am Eastern time..

Dan is alive. I have just received a call from a friend who has spoken to him. The remains found in the wreckage were of his passenger. Dan walked several miles from the crash site to somewhere near the entrance of Denali National Park and is receiving medical care.

[futr_alaskaflyer]

3:30 am Eastern time..

Dan is alive. I have just received a call from a friend who has spoken to him. The remains found in the wreckage were of his passenger. Dan walked several miles from the crash site to somewhere near the entrance of Denali National Park and is receiving medical care.

Here you go. I can't share anything outside of the news release right now other than when we put him on the air ambulance to Seattle he was in good spirits and I feel he will be fine despite the long road ahead. Still a busy day for us tomorrow.

Denali National Park and Preserve News Release

October 16, 2009 – 2:00 a.m.
For Immediate Release
Contact: Kris Fister, (907) 683-9583, kris_fister@nps.gov


Pilot from Downed Aircraft Alive

Dan McGregor, 35, of Denali Park, the pilot of the missing Cessna 185 that was discovered crashed and burned on Thursday afternoon in Denali National Park, is alive. He has significant burns, and after being evaluated and stabilized by medics from the National Park Service and the Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department, is currently enroute to a Seattle burn center.

In spite of his injuries, McGregor walked from the crash site to the Denali Park Road, where he eventually encountered two campers at the Igloo Creek Campground. These good Samaritans drove McGregor to his home just outside of the park, where he first called his family to let them know he was alive, and then contacted the Alaska State Troopers. The National Park Service was notified at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.

McGregor was alert and in good spirits, talking to friends and family via cell phone while being treated and waiting for the air ambulance to arrive from Fairbanks. It is estimated that he walked approximately 20 miles during his ordeal. He will be interviewed later by National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) personnel as part of the accident investigation. McGregor has confirmed that remains found at the crash site are those of Gordon Haber. Rangers are stationed at the remote crash site overnight, in order to secure the scene prior to arrival of NTSB investigators on Friday.
-NPS-

Experience Your America
The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

[KG]

Thank you Richard.

Both for the information and the efforts of you and your crew. Thank you.

Keith

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

This is good news for Dan. Of course we would have like to hear of two survivors.

He walked 20 miles for help which is just amazing to me every time I hear of someone having to do it. In the area I fly over 20 miles in almost any direction would take you through several populated areas with help. I'd usually be hard pressed to have to walk 2 miles for help.

[KG]

Anchorage Daily News article, including part of an interview with our own Richard Moore who was involved in the search and rescue efforts.

Great idea to use the Park Service's wolf tracking equipment to try to locate the wolf pack in order to narrow the search area since these guys were tracking wolves at the time of the accident.

http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/aviation ... 76121.html