A pilot in Alaska, who was not authorized to fly with passengers, has faced scrutiny after he and two young family members survived a perilous night on the wing of a partially submerged airplane. Federal aviation officials have identified the pilot as John Morris Jr., a student pilot with a troubling history of violating flying regulations.
On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began disciplinary actions against Morris, as confirmed by Mark Ward, an investigator with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). So far, Morris has not been cooperative with investigators, failing to respond to inquiries or report the accident within the required time frame.
According to Ward, Morris had received special instructions against flying with passengers, a rule that he appeared to have disregarded. The circumstances surrounding the flight remain unclear; investigators are trying to determine whether the plane landed on Tustumena Lake, located on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, as part of an emergency or due to a mechanical issue.
The plane went missing over this popular area, approximately 80 miles southwest of Anchorage. A dedicated group of volunteer pilots took to the skies, and one of them successfully located the submerged aircraft along with the three survivors resting on the wing.
Rescue operations were swiftly initiated by the Alaska Army National Guard, which dispatched a helicopter to bring the family to safety. Although they sustained non-life-threatening injuries, the ordeal was harrowing. Savvy use of the plane’s fabric-covered wings, which acted like a flotation device, prevented the aircraft from sinking completely.
Though Morris managed to get the children out of the plane before it submerged further, he suffered from hypothermia upon rescue, as he was exposed to the cold waters. Unfortunately, his cellphone also malfunctioned after becoming wet, further complicating communication with authorities.
The FAA had previously held a conference call with Morris’ wife, who indicated that he would reach out, but he never did. Records show that Morris had been granted a student pilot license in 2018, yet flying with passengers is one of the common violations noted by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
According to the regulations, Morris might face severe consequences, including fines or even the suspension of his license. Furthermore, if it is determined that he unlawfully flew with passengers and an insurance claim arises from this incident, it’s likely his coverage would be invalidated, placing the financial burden of the recovery on him.
