Father and his two daughters die in plane crash in remote Montana forests

Tragic Plane Crash in Montana Claims Lives of Alabama Family

A father from Alabama, along with his two young daughters, lost their lives in a plane crash deep within the Montana wilderness.

On Friday afternoon around 4:30 PM, a small aircraft piloted by 62-year-old Mark Anderson, along with his daughters Rainie, 22, and Ellie, 17, went down in a remote section of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The news broke following reports from various sources.

Powell County Sheriff Gavin Rosells stated that radar contact with the plane was lost, which led to a search operation that extended into the night. Resources from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls were brought in to assist.

The wreckage was located the following day at about 9 AM by a volunteer aircraft coordinating with the Montana Department of Transportation Aviation Division.

According to Rosells, responders from Powell County Coroner’s Office, Missoula County Search and Rescue, and the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department arrived at the crash site by 4 PM.

Tragically, the pilot and his daughters were pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation is now in the hands of the FAA and NTSB, which took over control from the Powell County Sheriff’s Office.

Before the names of the victims were made public, Monte Sano Baptist Church in Huntsville requested the community to pray for the missing family.

In a prior statement, the church mentioned, “Mark, Laney, and Ellie Anderson went missing yesterday while flying to Polson.” This was shared before any confirmation of their deaths.

“We held on to hope that Mark might have landed safely despite complex weather making rescue efforts challenging,” they added.

The community in Alabama reacted with shock to the news of their deaths.

After Rainey’s passing was confirmed, Saunders Aviation in Jasper, where she had trained, shared touching messages on social media, noting that she had recently achieved her flight instructor certification.

In a statement, the flight school said, “Lainey graduated from Auburn University’s Professional Flight Program and was an involved member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority.” They remembered her as an accomplished aviator and a beloved instructor.

The flight school also urged the public to “pray for his mother, Misty, and all her family and friends.” They reflected on the love and admiration her family will carry for her.

Expressions of grief poured in from multiple sources, with Lainey’s former sorority also joining in prayers for her family.

A college friend lamented the loss, sharing, “Words cannot express the sadness of losing my best friend and her family.” They reminisced about their close bond during college and her love for aviation.

In a heartfelt tribute, the Element Dance Company, where Ellie danced, expressed their sympathy and support for the Anderson family during this unimaginably difficult time. They emphasized carrying forward Ellie’s message of love in their daily lives.