OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after two people escaped with only minor injuries from a plane crash into Mount Jupiter in Olympic National Park.
The names and conditions of the two people involved in the Sunday crash have not been released by the FAA or the state Department of Transportation.
Just before 4 p.m. Sunday, the Department of Transportation received an emergency signal, the agency said. Around the same time, another aircraft reported to air traffic controllers in Seattle that they had heard a mayday call from a small aircraft over the radio.
A Washington Air Search and Rescue helicopter was put up in the air shortly after to search for the distressed aircraft.
A Navy helicopter from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island also joined in the search.
The plane, a Cirrus SR22, was spotted on the snowy face of Mount Jupiter, which is located on the east side of Olympic National Park near Brinnon, just after 6:30 p.m.
Once the wreckage was located, rescuers were lowered from the Navy helicopter and were able to find and rescue the plane’s two occupants: its pilot and a passenger.
The two were flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, but both only sustained minor injuries, according to DOT.
According to Ian Gregor, a public information officer for the FAA, it might take months for an investigation to conclude what the cause of the crash was.
The reason for the flight is still not known, but according to Barbara LaBoe of DOT, the plane took off from Everett. LaBoe said the plane’s destination isn’t known.
The rescue was a coordinated effort between DOT, Olympic National Park, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Washington Air Search and Rescue and the U.S. Navy.
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Jefferson County Editor/Reporter Cydney McFarland can be reached at 360-385-2335, ext. 55052, or at cmcfarland@peninsuladailynews.com.
