Crash Victims Rescued After 12 Hours on Frozen Lake

Crash Victims Rescued After 12 Hours on Frozen Plane Wing

Survivors Found in Harrowing Alaska Crash

In an unbelievable rescue story straight out of a movie, three crash victims were rescued after surviving 12 hours on the wing of a submerged plane in icy Alaska waters.

A pilot and two young family members clung to life above a frozen lake, waving for help as temperatures dipped into the 20s. Their survival stunned rescuers—and now the world is hearing their chilling story.

Spotted by a Stranger, Saved by a Miracle

Terry Godes was scrolling through Facebook when he noticed a post about a missing plane. On a hunch, he headed out to search near Tustumena Lake. That decision changed everything.

At first, he spotted wreckage from above. As he flew closer, his heart sank—until he saw something move.

“There’s three people on top of the wing,” he said. “They were alive, waving, and moving around.”

Godes immediately radioed other pilots. Moments later, help was on the way.

Race Against Time in Subzero Cold

The wrecked plane—a Piper PA-12 Super Cruiser—had disappeared during a sightseeing trip over Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. The pilot and his two juvenile relatives left from Soldotna, bound for Skilak Lake. They never arrived.

Search efforts kicked into high gear. Thanks to Godes’ radio call, another pilot, Dale Eicher, relayed the location to authorities. He was near Skilak Lake and had cell reception.

Within an hour, the Alaska National Guard was dispatched to the lake’s eastern edge—and the crash victims were rescued.

A Night of Cold, Darkness, and Survival

The three survivors were taken to a local hospital. Thankfully, none of their injuries were life-threatening.

But their ordeal was brutal. Godes said they spent the night soaked, freezing, and stranded on a partially submerged plane.

“It’s a cold, dark place out there at night,” he said. “That they survived is nothing short of a miracle.”

The lake had swallowed most of the aircraft. Only one wing and part of the tail rudder remained above the icy surface. That’s all the trio had to cling to.

No Answers Yet on What Caused the Crash

As of now, no one knows why the plane went down.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating. Officials are piecing together what happened, but the mystery remains.

Conditions in the area are notoriously treacherous. Winds whip around mountains and glaciers near Tustumena Lake. Even on calm days, the terrain can stir up chaos.

Tustumena Lake Known for Danger

Stretching across 60,000 acres, Tustumena Lake lies about 80 miles southwest of Anchorage. Locals know it well—and know it’s not to be taken lightly.

“Winds there can change instantly,” said meteorologist Michael Kutz. “The terrain creates unpredictable, powerful gusts.”

Godes agreed. He described it as a place where even a short flight can become dangerous in seconds. The lake sits at the toe of a glacier, flanked by steep mountains and shifting air currents.

“It’s a recipe for chaos and turbulence,” Godes said.

Crash victims rescued: A State That Relies on Small Planes

In Alaska, airplanes aren’t a luxury. They’re a lifeline.

With few roads and isolated communities, small aircraft are the primary way people travel. However, that dependence also leads to tragedy.

Just last month, 10 people died when an overloaded commuter plane crashed into sea ice near Nome. Five years ago, a midair collision killed seven people—including a state lawmaker—near Soldotna.

The Crash That Could Have Ended in Tragedy

This time, the ending was different.

Thanks to quick thinking, brave volunteers, and a little luck, the crash victims were rescued before it was too late.

Their survival is being called a miracle. But it’s also a reminder of how dangerous Alaska’s skies can be—and how vital every second is in a rescue.

Final Thoughts: A Story of Hope in the Cold

This story could have ended in heartbreak. Instead, it ended in cheers, relief, and a second chance.

For the pilot and his two young passengers, that long, freezing night will never be forgotten. Neither will the kindness of strangers who refused to give up searching.

And now, because of them, three more lives were saved from Alaska’s harsh wilderness.