News Release

Flightseeing Tour Makes Emergency Landing in Denali National Park and Preserve

Date: July 13, 2024
Contact: Paul Ollig, 907-683-9531

Talkeetna, AK – An aircraft accident involving a flightseeing tour from K2 Aviation occurred in the Alaska Range inside Denali National Park and Preserve yesterday. There were no reported injuries. Rangers received a call from K2 at approximately 5:00 PM on July 12th, reporting that one of their airplanes, carrying nine people including the pilot, had lost power and made a forced landing adjacent to the Tokositna Glacier. 

The aircraft managed to make an emergency landing in an area of thick alder bushes near the toe of the glacier in the vicinity of Mt. Goldie. A National Park Service (NPS) helicopter was able to land nearby and shuttled the pilot and passengers to a flat area on a gravel bar at the base of the glacier. 

Park officials promptly requested assistance from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. An HH-60 helicopter from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) was dispatched to the scene to aid in transporting everyone back to Talkeetna. The HH-60 transported five people, an R44 helicopter from Talkeetna Air Taxi transported three, and the park's A-Star helicopter transported the remaining individual. Emergency medical personnel met the helicopters in Talkeetna, and all involved declined medical treatment. 

Park officials are currently working with an investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to remove the airplane from the site. 

“We are grateful for the swift response and coordination among our rangers, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, and Talkeetna Air Taxi. The safety of our visitors is our top priority, and we are relieved that everyone involved is safe,” said Brooke Merrell, Superintendent of Denali National Park and Preserve.