Alaska Student Pilot Faces Disciplinary Action After Crash and Harrowing Rescue

John Morris Jr. and his two daughters survived 12 hours on a sinking plane in freezing conditions, but the FAA has launched an investigation into regulatory violations.

A small plane carrying John Morris Jr. and his two daughters crashed into Alaska's Tustumena Lake on March 23, leaving the family stranded on the wing of the sinking aircraft for 12 hours.
The Alaska Army National Guard rescued the family after volunteer pilots located the wreckage and relayed the coordinates to authorities.
The FAA has initiated disciplinary action against Morris, a student pilot who was not authorized to transport passengers and failed to report the crash within the required timeframe.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of the crash, which remains unclear, with questions about mechanical failure or pilot error still unanswered.
The absence of a locator beacon on the plane complicated rescue efforts, highlighting broader concerns about aviation safety in Alaska's challenging environment.