Preliminary NTSB Report Emerges on Wrangell Mountains Plane Crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published a preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into a plane crash that occurred in the Wrangell Mountains on September 17, resulting in the deaths of a pilot from Palmer and an 18-year-old from Michigan.

According to the report, the flight was intended to transport a packer to a moose camp near Snag Creek, with a subsequent stop at another camp approximately 10 miles east. The Piper PA-18-150 aircraft took off around 7:30 p.m. after a thorough preflight inspection, with no apparent problems noted by employees. Shortly after takeoff, they reported hearing noises resembling metal popping and observed the plane on the ground across the creek, approximately 750 feet from the airstrip. Weather conditions were favorable, featuring light winds.

Investigators found that all major parts of the aircraft remained intact at the crash site, although the fuselage was separated in front of the control stick, with the instrument panel and firewall detached from it. Subsequent tests indicated there was no water in the plane’s fuel, and its oil screen was clean. The victims, identified as pilot Cabot Pitts, 42, and Connor Helsel, 18, were the sole casualties in the incident. The report did not specify any suspected cause for the crash.