The Alaska Department of Public Safety has identified two people who died in a plane crash northeast of Shaktoolik.

According to a dispatch from Alaska State Troopers, on Friday, June 16, just before noon, Troopers were notified of an emergency SOS from an InReach satellite communications device.

The SOS reported a plane crash 35 miles northeast of Shaktoolik. 

According to the dispatch, the Cessna 180 aircraft was seen taking off but not climbing and subsequently crashing. It was later reported that both occupants of the aircraft were deceased. 

Troopers responded from Nome and recovered two bodies from the crash site.

Tentative identification of the deceased is pilot Jim Tweto, 68, of Unalakleet, and passenger Shane Reynolds, 45, of Orofino, Idaho. Next of kin has been notified.

The bodies are being transported to the Alaska State Medical Examiner’s Office in Anchorage.  The National Transportation Safety Board was notified of the crash.

Image at top: The badge of the Alaska State Troopers. KNOM file photo