Pilot rescued after crash landing plane near Juneau

The Ward Air pilot was hospitalized with minor injuries and hypothermia after the incident near Gull Island.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 2:03am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A sweeping, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of grey, blue, and white, depicting a turbulent seascape with the faint outline of a small plane partially obscured by heavy fog, conveying the overwhelming power and unpredictability of nature.A dramatic seascape painting captures the precarious nature of small aircraft operations in Alaska's rugged terrain.Juneau Today

A Ward Air pilot was hospitalized with minor injuries and hypothermia after crash-landing a plane in the water near Gull Island on Thursday, according to Alaska Wildlife Troopers. Before troopers arrived, another Ward Air aircraft on floats recovered the pilot from the water.

Why it matters

Plane crashes and emergency landings in remote areas of Alaska can pose significant risks to pilots and require swift rescue efforts. This incident highlights the challenges of operating small aircraft in the state's rugged terrain and unpredictable weather conditions.

The details

Troopers said they received a report at 10:42 a.m. Thursday that an aircraft had crash-landed in the water near Gull Island. Authorities later confirmed the incident involved a single Ward Air plane with one person on board. The pilot was taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries and hypothermia.

  • The incident occurred on Thursday, April 17, 2026.

The players

Ward Air

A Juneau-based charter company that operates amphibious, wheel and straight-float aircraft in Southeast Alaska and western Canada.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash landing.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and challenges faced by pilots operating small aircraft in Alaska's remote and rugged environments, underscoring the importance of robust safety protocols and rapid emergency response capabilities.