Pilot killed in Piper Pacer crash 40 miles southeast of Cordova

A solo pilot was found dead Friday after an Alaska Air National Guard helicopter crew located a crashed Piper Pacer in mountainous terrain near Kanak Island, approximately 40 miles southeast of Cordova.

Troopers were notified at around 8:00 p.m. on June 18 that the aircraft was overdue. The pilot was the only person on board, flying between Yakutat and Fairbanks. Both Air National Guard and Alaska Wildlife Trooper aircraft began searching. The wreckage was located roughly 20 hours later, at around 4:00 p.m. on June 19.

The pilot's body was transported to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for autopsy and positive identification. Next of kin and the NTSB have been notified.

The Alaska Department of Public Safety posted the dispatch through its Alaska Wildlife Troopers section.