Warden Service Plane Breaks Through Ice On Eagle Lake

A Maine Warden Service pilot escaped uninjured Wednesday after his aircraft broke through thin ice after landing on Eagle Lake.

Pilot Jeff Spencer, based out of Eagle Lake, was returning just after 11 a.m. from a bear telemetry flight in his Cessna 185.

Due to strong winds Wednesday morning, Spencer chose to slightly alter his normal landing pattern, Cpl. John MacDonald of the Maine Warden Service said in a new release.

While taxiing toward the warden service plane base on the west shore of Eagle Lake, Spencer crossed an area of thin ice and the aircraft broke through.

He was able to exit the plane without injury. MacDonald said the aircraft became partially submerged, suspended by its wings and tail.

MacDonald said the area near the plane base was deemed safe for aircraft operations after several test holes were drilled in various location on the lake on Dec. 18. He said Spencer had made several takeoffs and landings on the lake since Dec. 18.

Logistics for removing the aircraft are ongoing. The full extent of damage to the aircraft is unknown at this time.