THE ALASKA STORY
Sept. 19, 2026 – Another aircraft crash in Alaska on Thursday killed two people in the Wrangell Mountains, bringing the death toll from four fatal crashes in less than a month to 16.
A Piper PA-18 Super Cub crashed shortly after taking off from a dirt airstrip in the Snag Creek area near Nabesna on Sept. 17. Alaska State Troopers said they received a report of the crash at 7:51 pm. Both people aboard died. Their names had not been released pending notification of their families.
The remote crash site is in the northern Wrangell-St. Elias area. The National Transportation Safety Board said Friday that it was investigating the crash of a Piper PA-18 near Tok. Investigators had not yet determined what caused the plane to go down, and it was not known if the fight was private or an air taxi.
The crash follows three other fatal Alaska aviation accidents since Aug. 20. Eight people died when a charter plane crashed near the Cape Newenham radar site that day. Four more died in a crash near Seldovia on Aug. 26, and two more died when a plane crashed near Aniak on Sept. 15.
Details of the latest crash remain limited. Weather and the site’s remoteness could delay investigators’ access to the wreckage. The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report after examining the scene.
Note: Image at top of story is created by AI, does not depict the real plane or the real area.
8 thoughts on “Two killed in Wrangell Mountains plane crash, fourth fatal Alaska crash in less than a month”
It’s moose season. Gotta’ go now, or it doesn’t happen. And the weather typically sucks.
It’s a recipe for disaster.
Reggie is correct. The hurry up attitude can be a killer. Early loss of daylight and colder weather pushes these pilots to act. Improper preflight planning, unsecured loads and overweight loads are recipes for disaster. High anxiety to “go now,” can also taint judgment. This is the worst time of year for small aircraft pilots.
Growing up in the 1990’s I don’t remember hearing about this many small aircraft accidents
I thinking its weight issues and pilot errors/mistakes
As well as I think people today including pilots and passengers I think many don’t believe in God and know how to pray 🙏 for their own safety and successful missions or for their protection of life
People today live their lives by Chance receiving God’s grace (because He is Good) without even ASKING for it specifically, or they Hoping the other is a Christian next to them praying on their own and the other’s behalf.
I’ve heard it said: A Crash A Day is the Alaska Way
16 deaths in a month is too many. This is sad. It wouldn’t surprise me that the final outcome for causes of the crashes, determined by the dem’s, will be Trump’s fault. A Democrat told me that.
I don’t see an obvious trend either. Although the two most recent are likely related to hunting activities.
Still, 16 fatalities in one month is terrible! I’d encourage all pilots to take a minute of silence, reflect on this extraordinary situation, and let this soak in. Review the five P’s and at this time of year don’t let hunting activities become the priority
This happens every fall for as far back as I can remember.