A man is home safe and sound thanks to an amazing rescue operation. 

Manitoba RCMP says that they were alerted to a missing pilot the evening of January 13, 2019.

A 71-year-old male from Ashern, Manitoba had left that morning to fly his plane to a camp at Sisib Lake, which is south of Grand Rapids. However, the man failed to arrive and the police were alerted.

RCMP contacted the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Trenton, Ontario, which then deployed a Hercules search plane to the area.

Searchers on the Hercules saw a fire on Pickerel Lake, which is west of the man's destination, in the early morning of January 14.

At that time, Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs) were unable to parachute to the site due to poor weather conditions.

It was requested that the RCMP conduct a snowmobile patrol to investigate the fire and locate the pilot.

Grand Rapids RCMP, the Canadian Rangers, and Manitoba Sustainable Development deployed as requested and travelled approximately 45 kilometres by snowmobile to the fire.

While en route, the weather cleared and two SAR Techs ‎parachuted to Pickerel Lake just after 6:30 am. They located the pilot, who was in good spirits but suffering from dehydration. The SAR Techs provided medical treatment, and the pilot recovered on site. The pilot advised he landed safely on Pickerel Lake but when he tried to start his plane to leave he encountered mechanical issues which left him stranded.

The RCMP, Canadian Rangers, and Manitoba Sustainable Development arrived at the site at approximately 2:30 pm and assisted the SAR Techs. At approximately 4:30 pm, the SAR Techs and the pilot were picked up by helicopter.

Partnerships were integral to this rescue, and the RCMP thanks all involved for their fast response and invaluable assistance.