Vanishing Over Wilderness: The Mysterious Disappearance of Seth Spradlin in Katmai

The Fateful Flight and Start of the Mystery

On August 21, 2010, a de Havilland Beaver floatplane departed Swikshak Lagoon in Alaska’s Katmai National Park & Preserve, bound for King Salmon. On board were pilot Marco Alletto and three National Park Service maintenance workers: Mason McLeod , Neal Spradlin , and his younger brother, 20-year‑old Seth Spradlin. Departing at approximately 1:45 p.m., the first plane, carrying the three maintenance employees, vanished before reaching its destination. The second floatplane carrying two other employees took off 15 minutes later and safely landed—highlighting the tragic mystery of the missing flight.

The Massive Multi‑Agency Search

As the evening set in and no distress signal or ELT activation was detected, an extensive search commenced. The Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Alaska Fire Service, multiple park and aviation units, and even local air taxi operators fanned out across the rugged terrain. By August 23, ten aircraft—six fixed-wing and four helicopters—scoured river valleys draining into Kamishak Bay, Kulik Lake, and the park’s northern coast, aided by clear weather....Read More

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