Montana, October 21, 2025
News Summary
A twin-engine aircraft carrying a Huntsville family crashed in Montana, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants. The Piper PA27 Aztec F went missing after a jagged turn and was later located in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Piloted by Mark Anderson, he was accompanied by his two daughters and their dog. The community has rallied to support the Anderson family during this difficult time, organizing a prayer vigil to honor their memory.
Huntsville, Alabama
A twin-engine aircraft carrying a Huntsville family crashed in Montana’s wilderness on Friday, resulting in the deaths of all three people aboard. The Piper PA27 Aztec F was manufactured in 1981 and registered to a limited liability company owned by Mark Anderson.
The flight embarked from Huntsville Executive Airport on Thursday and made an intermediate stop in Lincoln, Nebraska, before proceeding to Billings, Montana, on Friday morning. After departing Billings at approximately 2 p.m. Mountain Time, the flight initially appeared to be normal as it maintained an altitude above 12,000 feet.
However, before 4:15 p.m., the aircraft executed a jagged turn and subsequently vanished from tracking systems. It later crashed near Condon in the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. Mark Anderson was piloting the plane, accompanied by his daughters, Lainey and Ellie, along with their dog, Stella. Anderson’s wife, Misty, was not on board at the time of the flight.
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a possible downed aircraft at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Search efforts commenced immediately, with air resources from Malmstrom Air Force Base conducting a search until midnight, which resumed early Saturday morning. A volunteer aircraft successfully located the wreckage around 9 a.m. on Saturday by tracking an emergency locator transmitter signal. All three occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, which was situated in a wooded area near Youngs Creek.
Mark Anderson was noted to be an experienced pilot. Prior to the identification of the crash victims, a church post encouraged the community to pray for the family’s safe return. Huntsville High School confirmed that senior Ellie Anderson was among those deceased, leading school officials to offer counseling services and postpone homecoming week events.
Lainey Anderson was an established flight instructor at Sanders Aviation and had recently graduated from Auburn University’s Professional Flight program. The investigation into the crash has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
A statement was released by the family, expressing gratitude for the support shown during this tragedy and requesting privacy as they grieve the loss. In response, the community organized a prayer vigil for the Anderson family, scheduled for Wednesday at Milton Frank Stadium.
Investigation and Community Response
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains ongoing, with experts from the FAA and NTSB working to determine what went wrong with the flight. Local authorities and organizations are also rallying together to support the Anderson family during this difficult time.
Key Details of the Incident
- Aircraft: Piper PA27 Aztec F, 1981 model
- Departure: Huntsville Executive Airport, Thursday
- Intermediate Stop: Lincoln, Nebraska
- Crash Location: Near Condon, Montana, in the Bob Marshall Wilderness
- Occupants: Mark Anderson, Lainey Anderson, Ellie Anderson, and their dog, Stella
- Confirmed Fatalities: All three occupants pronounced dead at the scene
- Investigation: Handed to FAA and NTSB
- Community Vigil: Scheduled for Wednesday at Milton Frank Stadium
FAQ
What type of aircraft was involved in the crash?
The aircraft was a Piper PA27 Aztec F, manufactured in 1981 and registered to a limited liability company owned by Mark Anderson.
How many people were on board the flight?
There were three people aboard the flight: Mark Anderson and his daughters Lainey and Ellie, along with their dog, Stella.
Where did the aircraft crash?
The aircraft crashed near Condon in the Bob Marshall Wilderness area in Montana.
What is being done in response to the crash?
The investigation into the crash has been handed over to the FAA and NTSB, while the community has organized a prayer vigil and counseling services for those affected.
Key Features of the Incident
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Aircraft Type | Piper PA27 Aztec F |
| Manufacturer Year | 1981 |
| Departure | Huntsville Executive Airport |
| Intermediate Stop | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Crash Location | Condon, Montana in Bob Marshall Wilderness |
| Casualties | Three fatalities |
| Investigating Bodies | FAA and NTSB |
| Community Response | Prayer vigil and counseling services offered |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- WAAY 31 News
- Wikipedia: Huntsville, Alabama
- Rocket City Now
- Google Search: Huntsville Montana plane crash
- Al.com
- Google Scholar: Huntsville plane crash
- WHNT News 19
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Huntsville Alabama
- Yellowhammer News
- Google News: Huntsville Montana plane crash
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.
