Alaska Rescue and Waconia High School Conservation Club: Stories of Survival and Community

Read or listen to the story of the dramatic rescue of a family in Alaska, and we spotlight a high school club in Minnesota that is shaping future conservation leaders. Join radio hosts Rebecca Wanner aka 'BEC' and Jeff ‘Tigger’ Erhardt (Tigger & BEC) with The Bend Radio Show & Podcast, your news outlet for the latest in Outdoors & Western Lifestyle News!

Season 5, Episode 230

Local Alaska Pilots and the National Guard Saved a Family from a Frozen Lake The Heart-Stopping Rescue of a Pilot and His Daughters on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula

According to the Associated Press and OutdoorLife.com, a dramatic rescue unfolded on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula this week after a pilot and his two daughters were stranded for hours on the wing of their half-sunken plane in a frozen lake. The family’s plane, a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser, crashed Sunday evening during a sightseeing trip. As night fell, the pilot and his daughters, who have not been identified, were forced to cling to the wing of the plane, waiting in the freezing cold for help.

It wasn’t long before the tight-knit community of Alaska’s bush pilots sprang into action. When the plane was first reported missing, local pilots immediately rallied to join the search. By Monday morning, a group of volunteers, including pilot Terry Godes, took to the skies in their own planes, hoping to spot the wreckage. Godes, who had seen a Facebook post about the missing family, was the first to spot the plane, with the family waving from the wing, signaling they were still alive.

After Godes radioed in the location, the Alaska State Troopers and National Guard were quickly alerted. The National Guard sent in a C-130 transport plane and a helicopter for the rescue operation, but conditions were challenging. The ice was too soft to land on, and the rotor wash threatened to blow the children off the wing. Despite these difficulties, the National Guard performed a flawless, one-of-a-kind recovery, saving the family from the icy wilderness.

The pilot and his daughters were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The rescue, which involved the quick thinking and coordination of local pilots, the Alaska State Troopers, and the National Guard, was a testament to the strength of Alaska’s community and the courage of those who risked their lives to bring a family home safely.

Reference: 

https://www.outdoorlife.com/survival/pilot-daughters-survive-plane-crash-alaska/

Spotlight on Waconia High School Conservation Club: Inspiring the Next Generation Waconia, Minnesota: Where High School Students Are Making a Difference in Conservation

Waconia, Minnesota located southeast of the Twin Cities - Waconia High School's Conservation Club has been inspiring students and the community for 18 years, blending outdoor adventures with environmental stewardship. From ice fishing events to cleanups, the club is passionate about connecting kids to nature. One of their most exciting projects this spring is revitalizing a 13-acre forest at Bayview Elementary School, where students will work with forestry experts to restore the space, plant trees, and create better walking trails.

The Conservation Club started small with just a handful of students but has grown into a vibrant 180-member group. Full-fledged members earn a school letter at Waconia High. These students take part in activities like hunting, camping, and fossil hunting, all while giving back through cleanups at local lakes and parks. Waconia’s strong community support, from donations to volunteers, helps make the club’s work possible.

If your school wants to make a difference, consider starting an outdoor club! It’s a great way to connect students with nature, foster teamwork, and give