Pilot dead in plane crash; no others on board

Frontiersman staff

TALKEETNA — Medics and firefighters responded this afternoon to Susitna Landing where a yellow Super Cub crashed, killing the pilot and sole occupant.

The Mat-Su Borough's director of emergency services, Dennis Brodigan, said the call to respond at 1:49 p.m. to Mile 82.5 of the Parks Highway.

“The call came in from the Susitna Landing boat launch area,” Brodigan said.

Information was still coming in as he spoke. At 2:20 p.m. the emergency responder in charge of the scene radioed to say at least one person had died.

Brodigan said that Alaska State Troopers were en route and would take over from the medics and firefighters.

Troopers were reported on scene at about 2:30 p.m. Once troopers were done, he said, the crash site would likely be handed over to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Trooper spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said witnesses reported watching the plane clip trees right before it crashed. Troopers are withholding the pilot's name.

“The identity of the man will not be released because next of kin has not been notified,” Ipsen said.

The plane was not on floats but there is a place nearby where pilots can land without them.