Two men were missing and presumed dead after a plane crash east of Cordova on the Gulf of Alaska coastline, according to Alaska State Troopers.
A wildlife trooper on a routine aerial patrol at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday noticed a badly damaged Piper Super Cub washing ashore near the mouth of Seal River, troopers said. The crash site is about 90 miles east of Cordova.
The trooper landed and was unable to locate anyone in or near the plane, troopers said.
Further investigation revealed the plane was owned by Cordova resident Richard Stoltzfus, who was believed to be carrying Oklahoma resident John Dick in the plane when it crashed, troopers said. Both men are in their 60s, troopers said.
The men were part of a five-person group staying at a cabin about 25 miles from the crashed plane, troopers said. They'd gone to the mouth of Seal River to collect pieces of iceberg for their cooler, troopers said.
Observations at the crash site indicated the plane had just taken off when it crashed, troopers said. The cause of the crash is unknown and under investigation.
By CASEY GROVE
casey.grove@adn.com