A Routine Flight Turns Tragic

On July 20, 2024, seasoned pilot Samuel "Sam" Wright III, aged 78, embarked on what was expected to be a routine flight from Juneau to Yakutat, Alaska. Accompanying him were Hans Munich and Tanya Hutchins, a couple from Yakutat who owned Coastal Air Service, a charter flight business. The trio departed Juneau in Wright's 1948 Beechcraft Bonanza, a single-engine aircraft known for its speed and reliability. Tragically, the flight never reached its destination.

Disappearance Near Mount Crillon

The aircraft's radar signal was lost near Mount Crillon, situated at the southern end of the Fairweather Mountain Range, approximately 100 miles northwest of Juneau. The last recorded altitude was around 10,000 feet. Adverse weather conditions, including fog, rain, and gusty winds, plagued the region at the time, complicating both the flight and subsequent search efforts. The plane was reported overdue that evening, prompting immediate search and rescue operations....Read More