Alaska News

Sterling pilot injured in crash on bank of Kenai River, troopers say

Alaska State Troopers say a 27-year-old pilot from Sterling was injured in a small-plane crash on the bank of the Kenai River on Wednesday.

Troopers and officials with Central Emergency Services and Alaska State Parks responded to reports of the crash in Sterling shortly before 3 p.m., according to an online dispatch.

"Investigation revealed a Piper PA-18 aircraft, piloted by 27-year-old Charley Tegerdine of Sterling, crashed into the riverbank of the Kenai River," the dispatch says.

The crash injured Tegerdine, who was taken to Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna for treatment, troopers said. Troopers did not report the severity of Tegerdine's injures, and the pilot was not listed at the Kenai Peninsula hospital.

The pilot told authorities there were mechanical issues with the flight controls immediately before the crash.

The Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards Service and National Transportation Security Board are investigating the crash.

Jerzy Shedlock

Jerzy Shedlock is a former reporter for Alaska Dispatch News. He left the ADN in 2017.

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