Names of Russian Mission Crash Victims Released Thursday

One crash site northwest of Russian Mission. Image-AST
One crash site northwest of Russian Mission. Image-AST

On Thursday, Alaska State Troopers released the names of the occupants of the two aircraft that collided in mid-air six miles northwest of Russian Mission on Wednesday morning.

According to the trooper dispatch, a Ravn C208 Caravan was traveling to Marshall from Russian Mission “with three people on board; Pilot Harry Wrase (48 of Wasilla) and passengers Steven Paul Andrew (32 of Kenai) and Aaron Jay Minock (21 of Russian Mission).”

“The other aircraft was a Renfro’s Alaska Adventure Super Cub that took off from Bethel flying to a hunting camp with Pilot Zach Justin Babat (44 of Montana) and passenger Jeff Thomas Burruss (40 of Haines),” troopers reported.

There were no survivors in the crash. While troopers responded to Russian Mission on Wednesday, recovery efforts continued into Thursday.  Three NTSB investigators as well as two FAA investigators have reached the scene on on Wednesday.

Efforts to reach the scene of the Piper crash has been hampered by rugged terrain and inclement weather. Further attempts will be made today.[xyz-ihs snippet=”Adsense-responsive”]