Erik Johnson Missing Person Case

Mar 17, 2020

Mar 29, 2024

Erik

Johnson

46

25

74 inches

180 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

On September 20, 2004, a compassionate and concerning story began to unfold in the vast wilderness of Alaska. Erik James Johnson, a 25-year-old male pilot from Sitka, was at the controls of a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver floatplane, preparing for a chartered flight. He was not alone; with him were four passengers, all tourists embarking on what they hoped would be a memorable fishing trip to the remote Baranof Warm Springs Lodge. The passengers were identified as twin brothers James and Joseph Murphy, Gerald Balmer, and Lloyd Koenig. The group was full of anticipation for their adventure, but the weather that day was fraught with peril, characterized by wind, rain, and low visibility. Despite the challenging conditions, another plane from the same company, carrying other members of their party, had departed earlier and landed safely. Erik's plane departed from Sitka around 10:35 a.m., but it never reached its destination just 20 miles away across Baranof Island. The disappearance of the aircraft prompted an extensive search and rescue operation spearheaded by the U.S. Coast Guard, with assistance from the Civil Air Patrol and Harris Air, the operator of the floatplane. The search was concentrated on the likely routes the pilot would have taken, given the poor weather. Instead of the direct, 12-minute flight over the mountainous island, it was believed Erik would have opted for a longer, 50-minute path around the northern part of the island. Search efforts focused on areas like Peril Strait and Hanus Bay after reports of a low-flying aircraft were received. The plane was equipped with an emergency locator transmitter, but no signal was ever detected, leading to speculation it could have been damaged in a potential crash or submerged in water. For ten days, crews scoured the rugged Alaskan landscape, a challenging terrain of steep mountains, dense forests, and numerous ocean channels. Despite their exhaustive efforts, no trace of the plane, Erik, or his four passengers was ever found. The official search was ultimately suspended by the Coast Guard on September 29, 2004, leaving the families of the missing men in a state of agonizing uncertainty. The case of Erik Johnson and his passengers is a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the Alaskan wilderness. The area where the plane went missing is known for its frequently low ceilings and reduced visibility due to rain, fog, and mist. The National Transportation Safety Board's report noted that the pilot had received multiple weather briefings that morning which included warnings of mountain obscuration. The families of the missing men held onto a glimmer of hope, describing them as experienced outdoorsmen who might be able to survive. They had supplies with them, including food and warm clothing. However, as time passed with no sign of wreckage or survivors, the hope for their safe return began to fade. The disappearance of these five individuals remains an unsolved case, a painful mystery etched into the rugged landscape of Baranof Island. This synopsis provides an overview of the case based on the available information.

Sep 20, 2004

Juneau

Alaska

Juneau Borough

No

77607

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

040075523

2004-09-21

Alaska State Troopers

na

Blond/Strawberry

Blue

Blue

07/09/2026