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Warden plane down on Clear Lake

April 25, 2007 - A Maine Warden service aircraft was damaged as it was turning on lear Lake in T10 R11 on April 14.

The Cessna 185 aircraft, piloted by Warden pilot Darrell Gordon, of Eagle Lake, was damaged when a ski on the aircraft landing equipment dug into the ice and snow and caused the plane to tip over onto its nose and wing. The plane was traveling slowly at the time. The aircraft suffered damage to the propeller and wing, and will be repaired on-site. No one was injured in the incident. Warden pilot Gordon had stopped there on routine patrol to check.

Colonel Thomas Santaguida, chief of the Maine Warden service said, "Our warden pilots fly in all kinds of conditions and weather to carry out the mission of the Bureau and conduct search and rescue missions and they have an outstanding safety record. Although very rare, accidents may happen. I have complete confidence in the pilot's confidence and ability to operate our aircraft in a safe and professional manner"

The Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and Maine Department of Environmental Protection were notified quickly after the incident.

Chief Warden pilot Charles later said, "repair and removal of the aircraft has been delayed due to weather yet I expect to be fully operational for a spring season."

This article appeared in its original form in the Piscataquis Observer April 25, 2007

Lakes: Clear Lake
Regions: Allagash


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