The staff of the Innoko Wildlife Refuge reported to the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in McGrath that one of their aircraft had gone down on Friday, August 21st in a float equipped Cessna 206.

The pilot, 66-year-old Will Johnson called in with his satellite phone to let authorities know that he was all right and to relay his position.

The Wildlife Troopers flew to the location in a PA-18 patrol plane near the headwaters of the Innoko River. As they overflew the area, the trooper located a dirt mining access road approximately 1.6 miles from the location of the downed aircraft.

Unable to land because of rough terrain, the trooper instead relayed to Johnson a safe route to the road via aircraft radio. As Johnson began his trek to the road, the trooper landed his aircraft at Takotna and traveled to the location along the road nearest to to where the pilot was in a Department of Transportation vehicle.

Johnson arrived at the road at approximately 8:45 pm at which time he was picked up and taken to Takotna then boarded the partol aircraft and continued on to McGrath.

Johnson reported no injuries and declined medical treatment.