Lives saved
2
Flying
Mountain
Mechanical failure
Challenging Terrain
From Drowning Nightmare to Mountain Miracle: Couple's Unbelievable Air Rescue Story
48.3857979°N, -114.060953°W
Posted on January 26, 2024 by Walter
What happened?
My wife and I suffered an engine failure while flying over the Hungry Horse Reservoir in Montana. Our only option was to make an emergency water landing as we had mountains on both sides and no other place to land.
Upon impact, the cockpit completely flooded with water. My wife had loosened her harness and managed to kick out the front windshield and swim out. I was trapped in my harness and underwater; I was drowning. After taking in quite a bit of water I managed to get loose of my harness and my wife grabbed my arm and helped me out.
We were on the right wing and found our ResQLink VIEW RLS PLB beacon floating next to us. The shoreline was very rocky so we had to swim with all of our clothes and shoes to shore; we almost did not make it. After arriving on shore, the shivering was so severe I could hardly turn the beacon on.
The next three hours was an attempt to survive on the shores of a mountain lake in November. We were surrounded by snow and were soaking wet. I was unable to access my emergency rescue bag after the cockpit flooded with water.
After 3 harrowing hours of pushing ourselves to keep moving, we saw some lights by the plane; it was the Flathead County Sheriff – Darrin Wise. Shortly thereafter two helicopters arrived from Two Bear Air Rescue; it was like God descending from the heavens.
They hoisted each one of us up to a separate helicopter and flew us to to the local emergency department.
Two Bear charges nothing. They are the product of Whitefish, MT philanthropist Michael Groguen. We are forever grateful to Mr. Groguen and the rescue team; Rob Cherot (Pilot), Wil Milam (Hoist Operator), Scott Seager (Rescue Specialist), and Officer Darrin Wise.
Words of wisdom
1. Keep beacon on your person at all times; it can get lost if it’s in a backpack, etc..
2. Have a backup device
3. Keep critical survival gear on your person at all times; emergency blankets, waterproof matches, flare, multi-tool
Thank you note
My wife and I were suffering from severe hypothermia at the time of our rescue. We would have perished had it not been for this incredible device. It was not the airplane ELT that saved us; it was our ACR ResQLink VIEW RLS.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Rescue location
Hungry Horse, MT, USA
Rescue team
Two Bear Air Rescue
ResQLink™ View RLS
Go to product details$484.95 – $614.95
- No Subscription Required
- Digital Display
- Return Link Service (RLS) Functionality
- GPS | Galileo GNSS
- Built-In Buoyancy
- Strobe and Infrared Strobe
- Global Coverage
- MEOSAR Compatible
- Small and lightweight
- 5 year battery life
- 28 hours Operational Life**
- Multifunction Clip System Included
- Exclusive ACR Skins included with purchase (customize your beacon and tailor it to your lifestyle and preferred activities)