Montana, October 20, 2025
News Summary
A missing aircraft carrying Huntsville father Mark Anderson, his two daughters Lainey and Ellie, and their dog Stella has been found after disappearing during a flight to Montana. Contact was lost at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday, and the plane was located on Saturday at 9 a.m. in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Weather complications hampered initial rescue efforts. Mark Anderson and his daughters were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation has been transferred to the FAA and NTSB.
Montana – A missing aircraft carrying Huntsville father Mark Anderson, his two daughters Lainey and Ellie, and their dog Stella was located after it disappeared during a flight to Montana. The plane went missing on Friday when contact was lost at approximately 4:30 p.m. Mark Anderson was piloting the aircraft when they lost communication.
The aircraft was found in a remote area of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, northeast of Seeley Lake, Montana. Powell County Sheriff Gavin R. Roselles confirmed the discovery of the plane. Air resources from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls were deployed for the search efforts until around midnight Friday.
Search efforts resumed Saturday morning, aided by a volunteer aircraft from the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics division, which located the wreckage around 9 a.m. by tracking a weak emergency locator transmitter signal. The aircraft was located in a wooded area known as Youngs Creek. Air Force helicopters supported the search operation.
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office has transferred the investigation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash. Weather conditions complicated and delayed the initial rescue efforts.
Anderson’s wife, Misty Anderson, was not on the flight. Mark Anderson was described as an experienced pilot, as noted in a post by the family’s place of worship, Monte Sano Baptist Church. The church requested prayers for the family and the search teams during the incident. On Saturday, it was confirmed that Mark Anderson and his two daughters were pronounced dead at the scene following the recovery efforts.
The last known position of the aircraft was tracked before losing its signal over the remote area. The plane took off from Billings airport in Montana, approximately 300 miles away from the crash site, before it lost communication roughly two hours into the flight. Community members in Huntsville were urged to pray for the family and the efficiency of the rescue teams during the search operations.
Summary of Key Facts
- Victims: Mark Anderson, Lainey Anderson, Ellie Anderson, and their dog Stella
- Location of crash: Bob Marshall Wilderness, northeast of Seeley Lake, Montana
- Timeline: Lost communication at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday; wreckage located at 9 a.m. on Saturday
- Investigation: Transferred to FAA and NTSB
- Background: Family urged prayers for the victims and search teams
FAQ
What happened to the aircraft?
A missing aircraft carrying Huntsville father Mark Anderson, his two daughters Lainey and Ellie, and their dog Stella was located after it disappeared during a flight to Montana.
When was the plane reported missing?
The plane went missing on Friday when contact was lost at approximately 4:30 p.m.
Where was the aircraft found?
The aircraft was found in a remote area of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, northeast of Seeley Lake, Montana.
Who was involved in the search efforts?
Air resources from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls were deployed for the search efforts, as well as a volunteer aircraft from the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics division.
What were the weather conditions like during the search?
Weather conditions complicated and delayed the initial rescue efforts.
What is the investigation status?
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office has transferred the investigation to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Victims | Mark Anderson, Lainey Anderson, Ellie Anderson, and dog Stella |
| Crash Location | Bob Marshall Wilderness, northeast of Seeley Lake, Montana |
| Missing Report Time | Friday at approximately 4:30 p.m. |
| Wreckage Discovery | Saturday at 9 a.m. |
| Weather Complications | Complicated and delayed initial rescue efforts |
| Investigation Body | Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) |
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Additional Resources
- WLTX
- Wikipedia: Bob Marshall Wilderness
- AL.com
- Google Search: Bob Marshall Wilderness plane crash
- Newsweek
- Google Scholar: plane crash investigation FAA NTSB
- KULR8
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Montana plane crash
- People
- Google News: Montana plane crash search efforts
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTSVILLE WRITER
The HUNTSVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHuntsville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Huntsville, Madison County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Panoply Arts Festival, Rocket City Brewfest, and Huntsville Comic & Pop Culture Expo. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce and HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology, plus leading businesses in aerospace, defense, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Boeing, SAIC, and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBirmingham.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
