Red Devil Plane Crash Kills Rural Leader

RED DEVIL, Alaska — Alaska State Troopers say two men died Friday evening after their plane crashed while attempting to land near the Holitna River. 

It happened about 5:30,  when troopers say the Super Cub's pilot, 42-year-old Richard Wilmarth of Red Devil, attempted to land on a private airstrip.

His passenger, Sleetmute Tribal Administrator Kenneth Mellick, also died in the crash.  The 45-year-old was also an Alaska Power Association board member.

Troopers say that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined and the investigation is ongoing.