More detail on this person: Christopher,
"Chris," A. Maggio, born June 12, 1949, a veteran
Alaska helicopter and airplane pilot died when his
helicopter crashed near the Denver glacier in
Southeast Alaska during a support mission for the
Alaska Icefield Expedition's sled dog camp. The
cause of the accident on May 6, 2016, is still
unknown.
Chris grew up in Pasadena, California and first
started flying as part of the aviation curriculum
at Mt San Antonio College in California where he
earned his private pilot license. After college he
enlisted in the Army in 1969 and completed the
Warrant Officer flight-training program for
helicopters. Following graduation he was assigned
to the 118 AHC in Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, where
Chris quickly qualified into "Charlie Model
Gunships". In the later part of his tour in
Vietnam he was reassigned to the 238 AWC and
finally to the 134 AHC.
After Vietnam, Chris started a family and pursued
a non-aviation career, but his love for flying
never diminished. In 1986 he bought a 1948 Stinson
108-3. Chris then seasonally supported a private
gold operation near Nome, Alaska. However, getting
back to flying helicopters was always one of
Chris's goals. In 1992 he earned his FAA
commercial helicopter license and went to work for
a large Southeast Alaska helicopter operator. Soon
there after, Chris moved permanently to Alaska and
became the base operations co-manager in
Skagway.
In 1997 Chris and a crewmember rescued the pilot
and a passenger after the charter airplane they
were on crashed into a deep salt-water inlet. Even
though Chris's response to the incident took only
seven minutes and he guided rescuers to other
passengers, four were lost. In 2013 the FAA
recognized Chris with inclusion in the prestigious
FAA Airman Certification Database, listing him as
a pilot who has exceeded the highest educational,
licensing, and medical standards established by
the FAA.
Chris was a twenty year resident of Skagway,
Alaska. He served on the Skagway school board
and was an active member in the Skagway Arts
Council. Chris had a love for antique bicycles and
motorcycles, hotrods, Alaska art, guitars, family,
and his partner Denise. But for all the things
Chris was known for, he was most recognized for
his engaging smile, generosity, and kindness.
Family, friends, and the community of Skagway will
never forget Christopher A. Maggio. A life cut too
short.
This information was last updated 09/28/2016
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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024
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