Wasilla man dead after midair collision

WASILLA — A Wasilla man is dead following a midair collision Wednesday afternoon.

The body of James Poelman, a 56-year-old Wasilla man, was recovered after rescue teams were dispatched to the mouth of the Susitna River, according to Alaska State Troopers.

According to an AST dispatch report published late Wednesday evening, Poelman was the pilot and only occupant of a Cessna 207 that was involved in the midair collision. The unnamed pilot of the other plane was able to make an emergency landing at the Lake Hood Airport in Anchorage just before 1 p.m. Wednesday, AST said. Troopers reported damage to the landing gear in the dispatch.

The midair collision was initially reported at 12:13 p.m.

According to troopers, authorities are still investigating the cause of the crash, and the circumstances surrounding the collision.

This is a developing story.