Backcountry Pilot

Recovery of the Vanderpool Cessna 207 with Atlee Dodge Jr.

Somewhere southwest of McGrath, Bob Vanderpool's son planted a Vanderpool Air Service Cessna 207 "sled" off-airport at night. I don't recall why he decided to stop, but stop he did. I don't think there were any injuries, luckily. Atlee Dodge Jr. bought the aircraft salvage for N1717U from the insurance company for just $5,000, and then set up a plan for repair and recovery.

He put together the parts and equipment needed for the repair and was going to fly them out to the "crash" site in his Beaver, but the site was too short for landing very close to the aircraft so he hired me to ferry everything from a nearby lake in my Super Cub. Then I'd fly the semi-repaired 207 out to Anchorage. While there, I also provided tent camp and cooking services for crew.

Atlee Jr. and Bob Cusack with the beloved Beaver as close as they could get it to the "crash" site.

Temps dropped to near -40°F at night but our tent heaters and cook stoves kept the air above a cozy 30°F in the wall tent. Atlee repaired three feet of both wing tips and reskinned the leading edge. The prop was replaced, wheels were replaced with skis, and we were ready.

While Atlee was working I reconned the nearby area and found a bigger lake about 200 yards away. I spent two days cutting a path to this big lake. And all the while I didn't tell Atlee my plan. He thought I was going to take off on the small lake we had landed on, which was way too short; damned near too short for a Cub landing.

The chilly sled recovery camp.

When repairs were complete and it was time to leave, I taxied down the small lake, turned around, and taxied back to the starting point. But much to everyone's surprise, I went down my secretly pre-cut trail to the big lake and stopped. Everyone was shocked when they followed me to the big lake. Atlee Said "Damn, I could fly it from here." I replied "Nope. I'm doing it."

The scene with the 207 under repair and Don's Super Cub in the background.

I flew the repaired sled to the nearby lake where Atlee had parked his Beaver, then replaced the 207's skis with wheels. Atlee started his Beaver at near 0°F with no heat-- I couldn't believe it. It is not like the cantankerous old radial to start so cold without preheating. Will wonders never cease?

With no radios and no brakes I headed to McGrath for fuel. Atlee said he would fly my wing on the way home through Rainy Pass. Wrong, after takeoff I never saw him again. On takeoff those wheels were wobbling bad with no brakes and the bearings falling out.

Back at the lake where the Beaver was parked.

Eventually I arrived back at Anchorage and got a green light to land at International airport. On the rollout after landing I was unable to control the aircraft with those damned wheels wobbling, and finally coasted off the side of the runway. I got out and walked to Lake Hood. As I walked up, Atlee asked where the plane was, and I told him it was out on the side of the runway.

I said "you paid to Anchorage, it's here. Where's my $1,200 bucks?"

He sold that sled the next day for $17,000. He never did get around to telling me how he talked his way out of having a pilotless plane abandoned on the runway at Anchorage International, closing down the airport for a short time.

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