Seth Fairbanks, 29, and Anthony Hooper, 23, killed after small-plane crash in waters of Knik Arm near Anchorage, Alaska

Modified Date: 
Tue, 02/15/2022 - 3:05pm
Accident Date: 
Saturday, August 8, 2015

Airplane pilot, passenger identified in Anchorage's Knik Arm crash

The still-missing occupants of a plane found crashed along Anchorage’s Knik Arm on Friday were identified by Alaska State Troopers Sunday afternoon.

Troopers release identity of body recovered from Cook Inlet

Hooper's body was recovered from the Cook Inlet on Aug. 29, according to Troopers. Alaska State Troopers have released the identity of one person who died in a small plane crash off Birchwood Airport last month. Troopers confirmed that 23-year-old Anthony G. Hooper, of McGrath, was one of two people on board an aircraft that crashed approximately 2 miles northeast of Birchwood Airport on Aug. 7. His identity was released Monday. The aircraft was found unoccupied when it was later located by helicopter, Troopers wrote.

$18,000 raised for family of Knik Arm plane crash victim

People in the Bethel region and Anchorage area donated everything from handmade children's ware and pottery to canned salmon for the auction. Donations even came from as far as Arizona.

Missing pilot, passenger in Knik Arm plane crash ID’d

“It was Seth and I’m sure it was Seth and I’m sure he called 9-1-1 and said, ‘We’re from McGrath and the plane’s upside down in Cook Inlet and we’re standing on the wings’. I have not heard the recording yet, but that 9-1-1 call went to the Bethel Police Department and they passed it onto the Rescue Coordination Center at Elmendorf,” said Fairbanks.

Questions about emergency response to Knik Arm plane crash emerge

The after-hours call from a spot between Anchorage and Palmer had been automatically routed to Fairbanks from the troopers' Bethel post. But it shouldn't have gone to Bethel to begin with, according to a municipality of Anchorage technology expert.

Alaska State Troopers release new details about pilot’s final phone call

A preliminary report on the small plane crash in Knik Arm last week gives no apparent reason the plane went down.

The pilot of the Piper PA-18 Super Cub – 29-year-old Seth Fairbanks — and passenger 23-year-old Anthony Hooper are presumed dead, according to a National Transportation Safety Board report.

NTSB Identification: ANC15FA062

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:

The loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

People Involved: 
Seth Fairbanks
Anthony Hooper

Comments

Just saw a recent episode of Yukon Men. It showed Seth Fairbanks coming to the rescue of a Tanana resident who was stranded on a sandbar (even though it put his own life in danger).  This tells us the type of man & hero he was to those that needed help. I'm sure he will be terribly missed by all those that knew & loved him. 

I agree with Nanette, and was thinking the exact same after watching that episode.  My heart goes out to those young mens family/friends.

That's sometimes how life is. The best ones die young. He seemed to be a great person and Hooper probably was also.

Just saw same Yukon Men episode and was saddened to see at the end the memorial to that fine, selfless, and brave young man Seth. My thoughts are with his family in this time of their grief.

Thoughts and prayers are with the families.may god heal their pain.hug

Just saw Yukon men and yes Seth Fairbanks will be missed it shows the kinda man he was it is so sad how things turn out some times my condolences to his family 

As I was watching the season finale of Yukon Men I was thinking to myself what a great guy this young pilot is. It was shocking to see the last 10 seconds of the show when the episode was dedicated to Seth. He and his family are in my prayers. 

So very sad, I was amazed at his expertise in flying his plane, a talented young man. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends. 

that was sad news.

So very sad , I too watched Yukon Men last night, and my thoughts were , what a nice young man.

My heart goes out to his family and friends. I am sure he is greatly missed.  He seemed to be such a great man. Selfless.. RIP

I am shocked as I sit here with my tv paused "In Memory of Seth." He just rescued Joey. It can't be! How valuable a person he was to his community. My condolences.

I was shocked as everyone to see the end of the show Yukon men. A very great young man who was willing to risk his life to save another no greater glory. My prayers are with the family.  

So sad when someone so descent is taken.  

Heart felt condolences to both families and friends of the crash that killed the two men. I just saw the resent episode of yucon men and was saddened of your loss.    Lonnie  Isbister hope bc

My tv & my face are frozen at the memorial for Seth at the end of Yukon Men. It rolled up and I shouted at the tv, "No! Not Seth!!" like I knew him. I wish I had. 5 minutes on film and you can tell exactly the kind of good, upstanding man he was. He had Charlie and Stan's respect and that says a lot. My sincere condolences to the families and friends of these two young men, taken much too soon. I am so sorry for your loss. I'm going to find the fundraiser page now to contribute something to help Seth's little girls. Crestfallen. Scott in SF, CA

I sit here in total shock at the end of the last episode of Yukon Men and see the In memory of Seth. And right after he comes to the rescue of another man. It is unbelievable!! That showed what a selfless and caring young man he was.  My heart goes out to his family and friends. You will all be in my prayers. This is a great loss. The world needs more people like Seth! I know he will be greatly missed by all those who knew and respected him. Wow I'm just so shocked!! God be with the family and friends in this painful time!!

God his with him now condonances to the people he left behind

I just watched the season finale of Yukon Men last night. I was so sorry to hear of Seth's death. My heart goes out to his family and all those who take part in the show. It is just so sad.

Having viewed the season final of Yukon Men, and seeing the effort s of Mr Fairbanks, it saddened me to have read of his death. Then reading some of the country's moments abov as to his "giving" spirit, it is even more difficult to process. Pray his family's and loved ones are comforted by a the Holy Spirt.

Apparently I missed this episode of Yukon Men until tonight. It's been 9 months since the crash, but I'm just finding out about it on the episode that aired again tonight. I am saddened to learn of the death of this courageous, brave young man. Fly high, Seth! Much love to your family and friends.

 

 

I can't even find words to express my saddness. He was so young. And an excellent pilot.

NTSB said that it looked like Seth was trying to save his passenger and himself by landing the plane at a closer point of land rather than the airport once he realized the plane was in trouble (carburetor freezing is what NTSB determined was the possibility of the crash) so even in the face of danger he was trying to do all he could to save lives.

My husband and I were in total shock seeing g that Seth has departed his beautiful life. Seemed like such a great person. Prayers to his family and friends for comfort and thanks to all the citizens that share their life with us through TV. I can't even imagine the daily struggles. Thank you

sad news about the death of the young pilot who died on 8-7-2015. Just watched episode tonight on 8-15-2016. 

I just happened to be watching the very episode where Seth did the rescue on the sand bar. He was so sweet and young! He passed doing what he loved... but wayyyy to soon. Love to his family and all his Alaska friends too sad. 

I was just watching and episode of the yukon men and seen that seth the pilot had passed and that saddened me I'm sorry to hear that happened to such a young and talented person his family is in my prayers

We are going through a tragedy here in Las Vegas and were just watching the pisode of the yukon men and seen that seth the pilot had passed and that saddened and shocked, I'm sorry to hear that happened to such a young and talented person his family is in our prayers.

Seth Was a great Piot and a fine young man. RIP

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