Pilot from Anchorage Dies in Plane Crash at Washington Airport

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Last Thursday, an Anchorage pilot tragically died in an accident at Paine Field Airport, located north of Seattle in Washington. Mark Richardson, 61, was identified as the pilot who perished in the crash.

The incident occurred around 2:48 p.m. as Richardson was attempting to take off in a Glasair aircraft. The plane went down in a wooded area about 750 feet from the main runway. He was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was declared dead at the scene. Following the crash, the aircraft’s wreckage ignited, but the flames were quickly extinguished by the Paine Field Fire Department. The runway remained closed for approximately one hour during the emergency response.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident. Richardson was associated with Grant Aviation, who expressed their sorrow over his passing and chose not to make further comments out of respect for his family.