On July 29, 1995, 61-year-old Allen Morton Gelin was aboard a white, twin-engine Cessna 421C that disappeared near Middleton Island, Alaska. The aircraft, with tail number N800DD, had taken off from Juneau and was en route to King Salmon. Along with Allen, who was piloting the plane, were two passengers, Richard Lindner and Mark Pickar. The flight, which began under visual flight rules, later requested and received an instrument flight rules clearance as it proceeded toward its destination.
What started as a routine flight over the vast Alaskan wilderness would soon turn into an enduring mystery.
As the Cessna flew on, it encountered difficulties. Approximately 20 miles west of Middleton Island, Allen Gelin radioed Air Traffic Control to report a critical failure; the right engine had reportedly come apart. Faced with a serious in-flight emergency, he declared his intention to attempt an emergency landing on Middleton Island, located in Prince William Sound. During this time, the aircraft was consistently losing altitude and was flying in 'solid IFR' conditions, meaning visibility was extremely poor. The pilot indicated that while he had the necessary approach plates for the island, he was unable to access them. Radar contact with the aircraft was lost shortly after the distress call.
In the immediate aftermath of the plane's disappearance, search and rescue teams were dispatched. Crews in rescue aircraft observed bubbles, an oil slick, and some debris in the ocean approximately three nautical miles south of the Middleton Island Airport, suggesting a water impact. Despite these initial findings, the main wreckage of the airplane was not immediately found. It wasn't until over a year later, on September 29, 1996, that the plane's wreckage was located. However, the discovery only deepened the mystery, as none of the three occupants were found inside. The case remains an unresolved tragedy, a stark reminder of the perils of aviation in the unforgiving Alaskan environment. The official investigation presumed the pilot and his two passengers were fatally injured in the crash, but without the recovery of their remains, their exact fate remains officially unconfirmed.Last Seen: Jul 29, 1995
