ALASKAN REGION 7
Earp: FEUD65 Roger. Now, if you need a closer airport I do have…there's an airport about 80 miles to the
southeast, St. Paul. I can get runway distance if you need and conditions.
FEUD65: Affirm. We need all that.
The pilot had not considered St. Paul until Earp suggested the airport. Because of deteriorating
conditions, she was looking to ditch the F-18 in the ocean in hope of a water rescue. When Earp
relayed to the pilot that SNP reported VFR conditions, the pilot was anxious to head that way. Earp
issued a heading and the pilot was able to get the airport in sight and land without incident.
Without Earp's quick thinking, the pilot would have had to ditch the F-18 in the middle of the ocean.
Her knowledge of ZAN airspace and the airports within it prevented a potentially tragic outcome.
RVP Clint Lancaster:
Unfortunately, this pilot was faced with one of the worst of all flight
emergency scenarios, dumping an aircraft into the Bering Sea in hope
of a water rescue. When it was the most crucial time for our controller
to complete the picture for this pilot, Jessica calmly and efficiently
provided all necessary information to the pilot. That information offered
an alternative scenario that most likely saved the pilot's life and most
certainly saved the aircraft. I am extremely proud to represent such a
dedicated professional out of the Alaskan Region.
NAL
