Four Moose Hunters Killed In Western Alaska Plane Crash

Sad story out of the community of St. Mary’s in Western Alaska. Here’s more from KYUK radio in Bethel:

The Alaskans who died were 34-year-old pilot and Chugiak resident Scott Grillion and 44-year-old Sterling resident Benjamin Sweeney. The out-of-state residents were 23-year-old Ohio resident Mario Gioiello and 25-year-old South Carolina resident Caleb Swortzel.

The Cessna 207 was owned and operated by Bethel-based air carrier Yute Commuter Service and was en route from Bethel to the lower Yukon River community at the time of the crash.

According to National Transportation Safety Board Alaska Chief Clint Johnson, the flight wasn’t part of the company’s regular schedule.

“This was for their personal use. And we have been told that they were using the airplane to go moose hunting in St. Mary’s,” Johnson said.

Here’s the Alaska State Troopers dispatch on the tragic accident:

AK24094101

Location: St. Mary’s

Type: Fatal Aircraft Crash

Dispatch Text:

UPDATE 9/17: Next of kin notifications have been completed. The individuals that were killed in this crash have been identified as:

• 23-year-old Ohio resident Mario Gioiello
• 34-year-old Chugiak resident and pilot Scott Grillion
• 44-year-old Sterling resident Benjamin Sweeney
• 25-year-old South Carolina resident Caleb Swortzel

Their bodies have been sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. 

ORIGINAL: On September 15, 2024, at 11:15 pm, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center contacted the Alaska State Troopers about an overdue aircraft in the St. Mary’s area. St. Mary’s based Troopers responded to the last known location of the aircraft and located a crashed Cessna T207. Troopers located four deceased adult males at the wreckage site approximately ½  mile from the runway. Wildlife Troopers and US Fish and Wildlife Officers responded to assist with transporting the deceased individuals to the roadway so that they can be sent to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. The identities of the deceased men will be released once they have been positively identified and next of kin have been notified. The NTSB was notified and will investigate the cause of the crash.