Two perish in plane crash

Aniak based Alaska State Troopers were notified of a plane crash that occurred at Marvel Dome, which is approximately 4-5 miles from the Marvel Creek strip/mine on 12/16/16 at about 1325 hours. It was reported that a red and white PA 11 with two people on board departed Aniak the day before at about 1400 hours. The plane was headed to the Marvel Creek area. As the plane failed to return, family members flew out to search. They located a crash site on the southeast side of Marvel Dome at approximately the 2000’ level. It was reported that the plane was destroyed and the people on board were believed to be deceased as a result of the crash. There were no signs of life. The Aniak based DPS Cessna 182 attempted to respond to the area, but returned to Aniak after experiencing deteriorating weather conditions. The NTSB was been notified.

On 12/17/2016 at about 1300 hours, a chartered helicopter from Bethel with an National Transportation Safety Board investigator and an Alaska State Trooper responded to the crash site and was able to recover the bodies and conduct a scene investigation. The initial scene investigation revealed the plane impacted Marvel Dome at a high rate speed and that neither occupant survived the initial impact. The pilot was identified as 62 year old Mark Matter and passenger as 63 year old Cecilia Matter both of Aniak. The bodies were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage for autopsy. The next of kin was notified.