Sitka, AK (June 23, 2026) – Four U.S. Coast Guard crew members were injured on Monday morning when a Coast Guard helicopter crashed near Harbor Mountain in Sitka.
According to Coast Guard officials, the incident involved an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that was conducting a training mission at the time of the crash. Authorities reported that four people were aboard the aircraft when it went down near Harbor Mountain.
Coast Guard watch standers at the Arctic District command center received notification of the crash shortly before 10:10 a.m. through the activation of a personal locator beacon. Around the same time, Sitka dispatchers also received a 911 report regarding the incident.
Emergency crews from Sitka Fire and Rescue responded to the crash site and transported all four crew members to Mt. Edgecumbe Medical Center for evaluation and treatment. Officials later confirmed that all four occupants sustained non-serious injuries. No fatalities were reported.
In response to the incident, local authorities temporarily closed Harbor Mountain Road to both vehicle and pedestrian traffic while emergency personnel worked in the area. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
We wish the injured crew members a full and speedy recovery.
What Does a Military and Coast Guard Aircraft Crash Investigation Include?
When a military or Coast Guard aircraft is involved in an accident, investigators conduct a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the event. These investigations typically examine flight conditions, aircraft performance, maintenance records, weather, communications, and crew actions before and during the incident.
Emergency locator devices, such as personal locator beacons, can help rescuers quickly identify an aircraft’s location following a crash, allowing emergency responders to reach injured occupants more rapidly.
Findings from aviation investigations are used to improve training procedures, operational practices, and aircraft safety measures. Officials generally release additional information as the investigation progresses and more facts become available.
