The incident occurred in the skies north of Bethel before 11 a.m. on Wednesday, August 31, according to the Alaska National Guard.
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The crash occurred in an area of rolling hills and heavy vegetation with an elevation between 600 to 800 feet.
A third aircraft flying overheard spotted the wreckage.
In a press release Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation Vice President of Communications, Tiffany Zullkosky, said YKHC set up an Emergency Operations Center for the following two and a half hours, remaining in close communication with Alaska State Troopers to supply medical personnel, supplies, and emergency transportation.
The Cessna belonged to Hageland Aviation Services, a regional airline, and the Piper was operated by Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures, she added.
An Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from the 207th Aviation Battalion based out of Bethel, with two Life Flight medics onboard, departed Bethel at approximately 12 p.m. en route to the crash site.
“When tragedy happens, community members pull through together for support for the families”, said Housler.
Wrase’s company, Hageland, came under scrutiny after a series of crashes in 2013 and 2014, including one that killed four passengers, according to the Alaska Dispatch News.
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“Active research is ongoing and we expect to know the results soon”, said Clint Johnson, chief investigator for the Alaska National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The student pilot and trainer were unable to bring the plane out of the stall, and both died in the crash. The cause of the crash is unknown, said Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson Allen Kenitzer.
