Wrangell man killed in plane crash near Ketchikan

Wrangell resident and attorney Michael Nash, 68, passed away in a plane crash near Ketchikan last Thursday. Alaska State Troopers were notified by Ketchikan Flight Service of an overdue aircraft around 3:07 p.m., July 11, 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 on the scene of the crash. Leanna Nash, wife of Michael, confirmed that it was indeed Michael who passed away. She added that the last radio contact with Michael occurred around 2:45 p.m., about 15 miles out of Ketchikan, and that the crash likely happened shortly afterward.