A plane crashed into utility wires on Thursday evening in Sterling, prompting Homer Electric Association to create a temporary power outage for roughly 1,300 utility customers in the area.
The pilot, an adult man who was the plane’s sole occupant, was uninjured during the crash, which is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board, according to a dispatch from the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Per that dispatch, Alaska State Troopers were notified of the crash at around 5:45 p.m. on Thursday. Troopers who responded to the area found a Cub Crafters Carbon Cub EX3 plane that had sustained “significant damage.”
Sterling resident Alisha Joe, who saw the crash site on Thursday evening, said Friday that the plane crashed on Fontaine Avenue, off of Robinson Loop Road.
HEA said in updates shared to social media on Thursday around 6 p.m. that it deenergized a circuit in Sterling after the plane crashed into utility lines, but the plane was not tangled in HEA wires. Power had been restored for about 1,000 customers by 7:15 p.m. after HEA crews restored power to the circuit while conducting repairs. Power was restored to all members by 8:30 p.m., HEA said.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
