NEED TO KNOW
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Mark Anderson and his daughters, Lainey and Ellie, were found dead after their small plane crashed in Montana
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The Andersons had gone missing while flying from Alabama to Montana, according to Monte Sano Baptist Church
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Church members described Anderson as an “experienced pilot”
An Alabama father and his two daughters were found dead after their small plane crashed in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana.
According to the Powell County Sheriff’s Office, a downed aircraft was reported at around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday, Oct. 17. Air resources were deployed from Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls and searched the area until around midnight.
At around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, a volunteer aircraft operating under the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics division located the aircraft in Northern Powell County and turned it over to the Air Force, which also had helicopters operating in the area at the time. A pilot and two other occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office has since turned the investigation over to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board to lead efforts to determine the cause of the crash.
On Oct. 18, before authorities confirmed three people had died in the crash, the Monte Sano Baptist Church asked its community for prayers regarding the disappearance of Huntsville pilot Mark Anderson and his two daughters, Lainey and Ellie.
Monte Sano Baptist Church/Facebook
Lainey and Ellie Anderson
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“Mark, Lainey, and Ellie Anderson (father and daughters) went missing yesterday while flying to Polson,” church members wrote in a Facebook post. “Mark is an experienced pilot, and we’re holding onto hope that he made a safe landing in a remote area. Weather complicated and delayed rescue efforts, but search teams are back out this morning.”
Soon after, Alabama news outlets WSFA 12 and WBRC 6 reported that the deceased were the Andersons.
The church’s post went on to state Anderson’s plane was located.
“We know that it is a very remote area and will take time. Our prayer is for the complete safety of Mark Lainey and Ellie as well as their dog Stella,” the post continued. “Pray for their safety, that they are unharmed, for Misty (wife and mother), their family and friends as we all wait. We would also like to pray for the search team as they continue their rescue. We trust in God’s protection and are asking for a miracle.”
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