Aviation

Missing pilot, passenger identified in Knik Arm plane crash

The still-missing occupants of a plane found crashed along Anchorage's Knik Arm on Friday were identified by Alaska State Troopers Sunday afternoon.

Family members had already identified the pilot as Seth Fairbanks, a 29-year-old equipment operator who lives in McGrath. One of six children, Fairbanks grew up on his family's homestead in Bethel. Alaska State Troopers confirmed his identity Sunday.

The passenger in the plane is believed to be Anthony Hooper, 23 of McGrath, wrote troopers spokesperson Tim DeSpain.

Fairbanks' father, Grant Fairbanks, said Sunday that the family didn't know Hooper.

The plane was discovered at 6:10 a.m. Friday about 2 miles northeast of Birchwood Airport, troopers said. It was found upside down and partially submerged on the mud flats.

On Saturday, a helicopter and boat lifted the wreckage of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub out of the water and took it to Birchwood Airport in Chugiak. An investigator from the National Transportation Safety Board was present as the plane, its tail severely smashed, was disassembled and placed onto the bed of a truck.

On Sunday, the search continued.

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"We've got a couple of planes out today," Grant Fairbanks said, which were being flown by family and friends.

Alaska State Troopers had also dispatched an additional aircraft Sunday, DeSpain wrote.

Fairbanks' family was planning a service in Anchorage this week, Grant Fairbanks said.

Laurel Andrews

Laurel Andrews was a reporter for the Anchorage Daily News, Alaska Dispatch News and Alaska Dispatch. She left the ADN in October 2018.

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