Coast Guard, others continue search for potential crash survivors near Lituya Bay, Alaska

 

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard and others are continuing the search Saturday for three potential survivors of a helicopter crash that occurred Friday near Lituya Bay.

The helicopter crashed in the water approximately 100 yards from the shoreline of a beach about 3 miles east of Lituya Bay.The Coast Guard located sections of the crashed helicopter’s fuselage, engine, rotor head, and front and rear seats washed up on the beach today but not any sign of the passengers. 

Two handlers with canines from the Southeast Alaska Dogs for Ground Search were brought in via Coast Guard helicopter but were not able to locate any sign of the helicopter’s passengers.

A C-130 aircraft crew with the 211th Rescue Squadron for Alaska Air National Guard’s 176th Wing out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage is on scene searching.

The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Bailey Barco out of Ketchikan is searching the water in the vicinity of the crash, and will continue searching overnight.

A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew out of Air Station Sitka is scheduled to begin searching at first light Sunday.

For the initial release about this case, please visit: 

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/210d91a