Two Die in Small Plane Crash Near Wrangell Mountains
A hunting guide, Cabot Pitts (42) of Palmer, and his teen employee, Connor Helsel (18) from Michigan, died on September 17 in a small plane crash near the Wrangell Mountains. The Piper Cub went down shortly after taking off from…
Anchorage, AK, September 22, 2026 —
A fatal small plane crash occurred on September 17 near the Wrangell Mountains, resulting in the deaths of two individuals. The deceased have been identified as Cabot Pitts, a 42-year-old hunting guide from Palmer, and his 18-year-old employee, Connor Helsel, who was from Michigan.
The aircraft, a Piper Cub, reportedly went down shortly after taking off from a dirt airstrip located in the Snag Creek area. This location is situated within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve.
Details regarding the specific cause of the crash were not immediately available. The circumstances leading to the aircraft’s descent shortly after departure remain under investigation. The area where the crash occurred is known for its remote terrain within the national park.
Cabot Pitts was a resident of Palmer and worked as a hunting guide. Connor Helsel was employed by Pitts and was from Michigan. The incident marks a tragic loss for those involved and the local community. Further information regarding the accident, including any potential investigations by aviation authorities, has not yet been released.
The flight originated from a dirt airstrip, indicating operations in a remote and potentially challenging environment. The Piper Cub is a common aircraft type used for operations in such areas. The crash site’s proximity to the Wrangell Mountains underscores the rugged nature of the region where the incident took place.
Story summarized from the original created by Zaz Hollander on www.adn.com, see more information here.
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