Wrangell man killed in plane crash near Ketchikan

Wrangell resident and attorney Michael Nash, 68-years-old passed away in a plane crash near Ketchikan on Thursday, July 11. Alaska State Troopers were notified by Ketchikan Flight Service of an overdue aircraft around 3:07 p.m. according to a dispatch on the department of public safety's website. Nash was flying his plane, a PA-24 Comanche, and was due to land in Ketchikan at 2:15 p.m.

"The US Coast Guard, Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad, Alaska Wildlife Troopers and Saxman VPSO responded to the area of Judy Hill," the dispatch reads. "At 1640 hours [4:40 p.m.], KVRS notified AST that they had located the crash on land on the north side of Judy Hill."

Judy Hill is located on Gravina Island, south of Ketchikan. The dispatch reports that the pilot, the only occupant of the plane, was found deceased at the scene of the crash. His wife, Leanna Nash confirmed that it was indeed Michael who had passed away. She added that the last radio contact with him occurred around 2:45 p.m., about 15 miles out of Ketchikan, and that the crash likely happened shortly afterward.