A float plane pilot’s sharp vision and reflexes appears to have saved a collision between the landing aircraft and a surfacing whale in Southeast Alaska.
The close call occurred July 10 in the community of Angoon, and was videotaped by Thomas Hamm of San Diego, California.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu2WEWRkoXk?feature=player_detailpage]
Hamm told the Alaska Dispatch that his video capture was “just a lucky shot.”
In the footage viewers can see the pilot adjust to the sudden presence of the whale just as the airplane is about to touch down, and as the whale comes up for a breath.
The float plane serves several communities in the region. Angoon is on Admiralty Island and boasts a population of 459 (not counting the whales), and is reachable only via float plane.
–Pete Thomas
–Hat tip to GrindTv Outdoor
