Powell County, Montana – In a heartbreaking tragedy, Mark Anderson and his two daughters, Lainey and Ellie, of Huntsville, Alabama, passed away after the small plane carrying them went down in the remote wilderness of northern Montana. Authorities confirmed the deaths Saturday, bringing an end to a tense search that had captured the hearts of friends, family, and the local community.
The family had been flying to Polson, Montana, when they went missing, prompting urgent prayers and concern from loved ones. Monte Sano Baptist Church, where the Andersons were active members, called on the community to pray for their safe return. “Mark is an experienced pilot, and we were holding onto hope that he made a safe landing in a remote area,” the church wrote on Facebook. “Weather complicated and delayed rescue efforts, but search teams were back out this morning.”
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office received the first report of a possible downed aircraft on Friday afternoon. The plane’s last known location was in the Bob Marshall Wilderness, a vast and rugged area of northern Powell County. Air resources were deployed from Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls to assist in the search, which continued through the night despite difficult conditions.
At 11:30 a.m. MT Saturday, authorities located the plane. Teams from the Powell County Coroner’s Office, Missoula County Search and Rescue, and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) arrived on the scene. Tragically, the pilot and the two passengers were pronounced dead at the crash site.
“This is a very remote area, and recovery efforts were extremely challenging,” the sheriff’s office said. The investigation has been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.
In the days leading up to the discovery, Monte Sano Baptist Church asked for prayers for the Anderson family, their dog Stella, and the search teams working in the harsh conditions. “Pray for their safety, that they are unharmed, for Misty, their family and friends as we all wait. We would also like to pray for the search team as they continue their rescue,” the church wrote.
Mark Anderson, a respected realtor in Huntsville, and his daughters, Lainey and Ellie, were remembered by friends, neighbors, and church members as kind, loving, and full of life. The community has been deeply affected, sharing condolences and honoring their memory through prayers and reflections on their warmth and faith.
In loving memory of Mark, Lainey, and Ellie Anderson, whose lives touched many. Their love, joy, and spirit will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew them.