Sutton man missing after overdue aircraft reported

A Sutton man is missing after an overdue aircraft was reported Monday night.

Andy Andersen, 38, is believed to be the pilot of a red and white Aeronica Champion airplane that left Valdez about 5 p.m. on July 11. Andersen had an expected arrival time of 6:30 p.m. in Sutton.

The Alaska State Troopers received the report and notified the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. Search and rescue efforts have been hampered due to poor weather conditions, according to troopers. The AKRCC, Civil Air Patrol, US Coast Guard, AST and Alaska Army National Guard are working cooperatively on the search.

An Andy Andersen Search and Rescue Coordination page has been created on Facebook. In a message posted Wednesday afternoon, there was a call for a need for drone operators to assist with a search that has been difficult due to weather. Those interested in assisting can go to the Facebook page, or contact Eric Wansor at 907-841-1206.

Contact the Frontiersman at sports@frontiersman.com.