Search is underway for missing plane in Denali Park

The search is underway for an overdue aircraft inside Denali National Park. Pilot Dan McGregor and independent wolf biologist, Gordon Haber, are on board.

There are 7 aircraft looking for the white and blue Cessna 185. The plane took off at noon Wednesday and was supposed to return by nightfall. The Park Service was notified about midnight that the plane was overdue.

Park spokeswoman, Kris Fister says a flight plan indicated the two men were looking for wolf packs. Haber has been studying Denali’s wolf packs for years and is a frequent flyer over Denali’s terrain. McGregor is a pilot in the summer season for Denali Air and is well versed in mountain flying.

Fister says the search is a joint command effort involving wildlife troopers, the military and the national park.

The search is focusing on the northern part of the park, where wolf packs are known to frequent.

Fister says the search will continue until dark Thursday night and resume on Friday if nothing is found.