Pilot safe after emergency landing near Talkeetna

An engine failure forced an area pilot to make an emergency landing in a swamp on Sunday, there were no injuries and the pilot was returned to Talkeetna by helicopter.

The Alaska State Troopers received a report of a downed aircraft near a cabin North East of Talkeetna Sunday, at approximately 7:30pm.  The report indicated the pilot, Billy Fitzgerald, of Talkeetna, was not injured and approximately one half mile from the cabin.  The 11th Rescue Coordination Center arranged for a National Park Service helicopter and crew to respond from Talkeetna Airport. The pilot, Billy Fitzgerald, age 58, of Talkeetna, was picked up and transported back to Talkeetna.  Further investigation revealed Fitzgerald’s 1951 Piper Super Cub had suffered an engine failure. Fitzgerald was able to land the plane in a swamp without sustaining damage, but had no way out.  The FAA and NTSB were notified of the incident and their investigation is continuing.