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Greenville man survives floatplane crash in Alaska
GREENVILLE, PA.
A Greenville, Pa., man, Justin L. Schillaci, 27, survived the crash of a floatplane heading toward a remote fishing spot in southwest Alaska in which three passengers were killed and several others seriously injured.
Schillaci’s father, Tony Schillaci of Greenville, said his son called him about 15 minutes after the crash Tuesday to let him know he was not seriously hurt and that he was trying to help the other passengers who were more-seriously injured.
“Dad, prayers kept me alive,” Justin told his father.
“He’s recovering from being in a plane crash, and he’s hurting. His injuries are not specific. He’s the kind of guy who won’t tell me anything,” Tony said of his son.
Tony said he had planned to fly to Alaska on Saturday to see his son, but Justin communicated with him on Facebook saying: “Dad, cancel your plans,” indicating he is OK.
Justin is no stranger to flying to remote areas in Alaska.
“This is his fifth year up there as a fishing guide from May to the end of September. He fishes with customers right by bears,” the elder Schillaci said.
According to the Associated Press, three of the 10 men aboard the De Havilland DHC-3 Turbine Otter were killed in the crash, and the rest were injured. Alaska State Troopers identified the survivors, including the pilot, as men from New York, California, Pennsylvania, Utah and Oregon. Those killed were residents of California and James Spector, 69, of Shavertown, Pa.
The aircraft crashed near the tiny town of Iliamna, about 175 miles southwest of Anchorage, as it was taking off to head to a river. It ended up in the tundra among trees near Eastwind Lake, a mile north of town.
The plane belonged to the Rainbow King Lodge, a fishing lodge in Iliamna for which Justin works.
National Transportation Safety Board officials are investigating the cause of the crash. They are waiting to talk to Justin.
“That bugs me. That poor kid,” his father said.
The accident was the ninth fatal plane crash in Alaska this year, resulting in 20 deaths, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Justin is just a local Greenville kid. I’ve taken my kids fishing since they were toddlers, and we’ve been to some really remote places. He got hooked,” his father said.
A 2006 graduate of Greenville High School, Justin has a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in education, both from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Justin’s mother, Kim Miller, and his brother, Anthony Schillaci Jr., are Hermitage, Pa., residents.
The crash and his son’s narrow escape left Tony, a member of Living Waters Church in Masury, with these thoughts: “Love your kids. Hug them as often as you can. It didn’t end well for a lot of people up there.”