A 33-year-old wildlife biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game was killed Friday morning when the small aircraft he was flying crashed at the Dillingham airport.
Alaska State Troopers say they were notified shortly before 9:15 am of an aircraft down on the runway. Responders arriving on scene found a Piper J3C-65 Cub that had crashed, with the lone occupant, John Landsiedel of Dillingham, declared deceased at the scene. The propeller was dug into the runway.
Landsiedel did not own the aircraft but was the only one on board. He had received his pilot’s license in November 2024. His body is being sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash to determine the cause. No other injuries were reported.
Sad event. One must observe his limited experience flying. In addition flying anywhere in Alaska has its dangers – more so than in the contiguous states.
He was landing at a state maintained airport. That’s no more dangerous than any other government maintained runway.