Local News

Young pilot dead in Willow plane crash

A plane crash in the Willow area on Wednesday evening left one dead and ignited a wildfire. According to the Alaska State Troopers, 24-year-old Colt Richter, a pilot for Regal

Young pilot dead in Willow plane crash
Alaska State Trooper badge. Image courtesy of the Alaska State Troopers.

A plane crash in the Willow area on Wednesday evening left one dead and ignited a wildfire.

According to the Alaska State Troopers, 24-year-old Colt Richter, a pilot for Regal Air, took off from Willow Lake around 7:00 pm Wednesday. Richter and two passengers were bound for a lake near Skwentna.

Troopers say the plane crashed in the woods near a residential area immediately after takeoff. Richter was killed, and the two passengers aboard suffered what troopers describe as non-life-threatening injuries.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

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