NTSB releases preliminary report on investigation into fatal Wrangell Mountains plane crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - The National Transportation Safety Board released its preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into a plane crash that killed a Palmer pilot and a Michigan teen in the Wrangell Mountains on Sept. 17.

The report states the reason for the flight was to transport one of the packers to a moose camp along the Snag Creek and then to another moose camp about 10 miles east. After a preflight inspection, around 7:30 p.m., the plane, a Piper PA-18-150, took off, with employees noticing nothing unusual.

Shortly after takeoff, employees heard what they described as metal popping and saw the plane on the ground on the opposite side of the creek. It stopped about 750 ft from the dirt airstrip.

The weather was described as good for flying with light winds. All major components of the airplane remained attached and were accounted for at the accident site, according to an NTSB investigator.

The plane’s fuselage was found to be separated forward of the control stick. The instrument panel and the firewall were separated from the fuselage. The plane was taken from the scene for further examination.

Testing also determined the plane’s fuel was tested for water, and the results came back negative. Investigators also determined the plane’s oil screen was clean and unobstructed.

Pilot Cabot Pitts, 42, of Palmer and Connor Helsel, 18, of Michigan, were identified as the two people killed in the crash on Sept. 21. They were the only two killed in the crash. The report did not list a suspected cause of the crash.

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