Fatal air medical flight crash in Alaska

The three crew have been named as pilot Glen Morthorpe, paramedic Maddox Burts and RN Rob Cartner. They were enroute to pick up a patient from Seward when the aircraft, a twin-engine Piper PA-31, crashed into a mountain. Reports have emerged that two other air ambulance companies had previously declined the flight request for a patient transport.

Jim Gregory, a spokesperson for Guardian Flight, confirmed that the firm had received a flight request, but that the flight was put on hold until the following day; he did not confirm if the weather had been a determining factor. LifeMed Alaska also reportedly received a request, but that the request was declined due to poor weather, according to the company’s Chief Operating Offiver Steve Heyano.

Alaska State Troopers located the wreckage of the aircraft around 11 miles from Quartz Creek. Security Aviation, which operated the aircraft, said that Morthorpe was ‘one of our most experienced pilots. Glen was a true pioneer in Alaska’s aviation community, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to his friends and families’.