Anchorage man dies in plane crash near Yentna River

An Anchorage man died Saturday afternoon following a single-engine plane crash near the mouth of the Yentna River.

According to Alaska State Troopers and National Transportation Safety Board officials, 75-year-old Donald Wayne Frantz of Anchorage was piloting the Aeronca 15AC Sedan near a remote cabin near the mouth of the Yentna River west of Willow.

The NTSB reported Frantz had flown passengers to the cabin mid-morning Saturday and was on his way back to pick up additional people for drop-off at the same location when the plane crashed in a wooded area close to the river’s mouth. The 1949 fixed-wing aircraft can seat up to four and, NTSB officials said, was equipped with floats.

According to reports, when Frantz did not return from his flight as scheduled, those who had been dropped off at the cabin began a search. The group discovered the wreckage a short time later. Shortly after noon, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center personnel out of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson were dispatched to the location and discovered Frantz deceased.

A Trooper dispatch reported Talkeetna Fire and Rescue assisted at the scene. Mat-Su Deputy Fire Director Ken Barkley said Monday the Talkeetna group received the call as it was in its response area. Barkley said TFAR responders had the necessary equipment to work in the remote location. Troopers said Frantz’ body was taken to Lake Hood in Anchorage and turned over to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

NTSB officials remained at the scene through Sunday afternoon processing the crash, officials stated. The accident remains under investigation by both Troopers and the NTSB.