A civilian helicopter and the Coast Guard searched for a small plane reported missing in the area of Point Howard on Thursday.

The report went in to Coast Guard Sector Juneau at 9:17 am yesterday morning.

The aircraft, with only the pilot on board, had been due in Gustavus at 8:55 am. The plane was last heard from at 8:47 am while it was near Point Howard.

An urgent marine information broadcast was immediately issued requesting mariners to be on the lookout for the aircraft, a white and teal Piper Cherokee from Air Excursions LLC.

The wreckage of the aircraft was located at 3 pm near Point Howard in the Tongass National Forest 23 miles west of Juneau.

A Coast Guard helicopter put a four man mountain rescue team on the ground about a half-mile from the crash site.

At 4:24pm, the team arrived at the crash site to find the pilot of the aircraft deceased.

“It is extremely unfortunate that we were unable to rescue the pilot and our deepest condolences go out to his family,” said Lt. Ryan Erickson, Sector Juneau incident management division chief. “We thank all the personnel who have taken part in the search.”

The Juneau Mountain Rescue team was returned to Juneau aboard the Coast Guard helicopter. The Coast Guard is standing by to assist the Alaska State Troopers with recovery operations Friday.