Float Plane Stalls, Flips On North Pole Pond

The plane, which was 30 to 50 feet off the ground when it stalled, struck the water and flipped upside down near the bank.

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By Fairbanks Daily News-Miner

Story Created: Sep 6, 2011 at 8:30 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 7, 2011 at 7:33 AM AKDT

FAIRBANKS — A pilot flipped a float plane on a North Pole pond Sunday after the plane stalled during takeoff, according to Alaska State Troopers.

North Pole dentist Gamaliel Rodriguez, 50, who was flying the plane, and his son, Nathaniel Rodriguez, 21, were transported to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital with minor injuries, according to troopers. Both are expected to fully recover.

Rodriguez, piloting a Piper PA-12, was taking off from a float pond near Hurst Road and Flight Street about 4 p.m. when the aircraft stalled while climbing to clear trees at the end of the lake, according to troopers. The Piper, which was 30 to 50 feet off the ground when it stalled, struck the water and flipped upside down near the bank.

North Star Volunteer Fire Department and North Pole Fire Department responded to the crash, according to a post on the North Star Facebook page. No one at either department could be reached Monday to comment on the accident.

A photo taken by North Star officials at the pond showed the tail and floats poking out of the water, with the fuselage of the upside-down plane submerged in the water. Details of how the Rodriguezes escaped from the plane were unavailable.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the accident, troopers said.

Contact staff writer Jeff Richardson at 459-7518.

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