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Last Thursday, UAF researcher Ben Jones, assistant professor with the Water and Environmental Research Center at the Institute of Northern Engineering, was traveling aboard a chartered aircraft when it crashed near the Teshekpuk Lake Observatory, east of Utqiagvik. Ben was injured. The pilot, unfortunately, did not survive.
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Ben was taken to a hospital in Utqiagvik and then to Anchorage, where he was treated for his injuries. He was released and made his way home to Fairbanks on Monday.
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I want to express my condolences to the pilot’s family, friends and colleagues. I also want to commend Ben for his courage through this ordeal. My thanks to Ben’s family and colleagues for their support and quick action.
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We often have researchers, graduate students and professors travel to remote sites in small fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, boats and all-terrain vehicles. I want to reinforce how important it is to have safety plans (including COVID-19 mitigation plans) in place prior to traveling. I am grateful that Ben had these plans in place, and I commend him for his preparedness.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with this incident, please contact the free employee assistance program, Deer Oaks, at 1-888-993-7659, or visit them online.
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Take care of yourself and each other.
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