The search for a missing plane bound for Yakutat was called off late Monday evening after exhaustive efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and partner agencies. The aircraft, a 1948 Beechcraft Bonanza owned by longtime Haines pilot Sam Wright, was carrying Yakutat residents Hans Munich,Tanya Hutchins, and Sam Wright himself. It was last tracked near Mount Crillon at the southern end of the Fairweather Mountain Range.
The three individuals departed from Juneau on Saturday, but the plane never reached its destination. Wright, along with Munich and Hutchins, who own Coastal Air Service, were reported overdue that evening. Both Wright and Munich are experienced pilots with decades of flying experience in Southeast Alaska.
Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Mike Salerno announced the suspension of the search, stating, “The decision to suspend is never easy. Our condolences are with the family members of the passengers on board.” he also stated that the search could resume if new information becomes available.
The search operation for the missing plane involved coordinated efforts from the Coast Guard, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, the Civil Air Patrol, and Alaska State Troopers. Over the span of three days, these teams deployed various resources, including Coast Guard helicopters, HC-130 aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, and additional resources from the Air Force and Civil Air Patrol. The operation faced significant challenges due to the rugged terrain of the Fairweather Mountain Range.
Salerno highlighted the difficulties encountered during the search, pointing out the mountainous terrain and adverse weather conditions.”The flight tracking stops at around 10,000 feet, which makes it a difficult search area, especially with the cloud coverage,” he said. The National Weather Service had forecasted worsening conditions, including showers, intense rain, and strong winds that would reduce visibility.
Despite the suspension of the search, Salerno emphasized the Coast Guard’s dedication to rescue operations. “We never discount the will to live of any individual,” he stated. The community remains hopeful that new information or developments could lead to the resumption of the search efforts.
