rescue of downed aircraft

[mattfidaho]

http://idahofalls.kidk.com/content/plane-makes-emergency-landing

http://www.localnews8.com/global/story.asp?s=12155471

we had a rescue last night for a downed plane... they were luck and were able to put it down on a snowmobile trail..
I didnt get any pics of the cat because I was busy getting to them, here is a pic of the plane.

 

[Mtn-Track]

That's some nice work and a pretty fast response time also! Just as equally impressive was that pilots ability to land a 172 on a snowmobile trail in the dark and not bend it.

Was it in an open area? I assume there were no lights anywhere...

 

[mattfidaho]

That's some nice work and a pretty fast response time also! Just as equally impressive was that pilots ability to land a 172 on a snowmobile trail in the dark and not bend it.

Was it in an open area? I assume there were no lights anywhere...

It was a fairly open area, about the only straight part in the road..... when they put the plane down there was still some day light, so they were very lucky.
the wind span on a 172 is about 32 ft... even that is amazing with all the fence posts and trees etc. from the sounds of it they had ice problems on the carb.. and lost power... so they at least had some if very little power to bring it in with. but then again I am not a pilot....
very nice work landing it though

 

[Mtn-Track]

Thank's for the clarification. I'm former SAR and also a pilot, thus the questions...

These folks had an angel on their shoulder for the landing and several more on scene thanks to your response.

 

[mattfidaho]

UPDATE,

I was informed they were able to fly the plane out this morning around 0930.

 

[Snow Tracs]

Thats one lucky pilot! Ive had a simular problem but I had a road to put mine down on. Everything would have been diffrent if it was dark out. You would have been recovering there bodies instead of giving them a ride out.