Richard Dennis

On Monday, July 11th, an aircraft was reported as overdue on a flight from Valdez to Sutton. The aircraft, a red and white Aeronca Champion, was piloted by Andy Andersen of Sutton. He was returning home from a fishing trip in Valdez. The weather was reported as being very poor.

That evening at 8:21 p.m., Alaska State Troopers (AST) were notified that the flight was overdue. Immediately, the U.S. Air Force (USAF) Alaska Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) on Elmendorf Air Force Base mobilized a number of additional government agencies including the Alaska Army National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). Two CAP units hit the road from Valdez hoping to pick up a signal from the aircraft emergency location transmitter (ELT). No signal was detected.

On July 12 a number of aircraft were launched by CAP and AST. Due to very low weather, only the flight from AST and one flight from the Tok CAP unit were able to access the search area.

Valdez Police and Fire Departments assisted in rescue efforts by flying drones in the area and stationing personnel to be available to assist other agencies.

With improving weather on July 14 an Army National Guard helicopter was able to search Thompson Pass. The crew located the wreckage approximately 1,000 feet off of the Richardson Highway. The pilot was unfortunately deceased and was recovered from the site. On July 14 the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accessed the area for their investigation, with a report to follow.

More Search and Rescue reporting:

Mountaineers Return Safely from Mount Bona

Park Staff Seek to Lower Death toll with Information

Alone on the Valdez Glacier: Tim Mills’ Survival and Rescue