In the summer of 2003, a fishing trip to the majestic wilderness of Alaska ended in profound tragedy for a family from Utah. On the evening of July 13, a twin-engine Cessna 401 carrying six people, including 24-year-old Gordon Earl Woodruff Moses, went down in the frigid ocean waters near Gustavus, Alaska. Gordon, a white male with black hair and brown eyes, was joined on the flight by his brother, Adam Moses, 19; his brother-in-law and pilot, Gary Ostler; and Gary's son, Christopher
Ostler, 18. The group was flying from Port Angeles, Washington, to Gustavus for a fishing excursion when the aircraft experienced a total loss of engine power. Gordon was described as being 6 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 235 pounds, and having a tattoo on his chest. The group's last point of contact was from the Juneau area before the catastrophic event unfolded.
The National Transportation Safety Board later determined the cause of the crash was fuel exhaustion due to the pilot's 'inadequate in-flight decision-making.' Reports indicate the pilot bypassed opportunities to refuel and, despite being low on fuel, chose to continue towards his original destination of Gustavus rather than divert to a closer airport. Approximately 12 miles from the Gustavus airport, the plane ran out of fuel and the pilot was forced to ditch the aircraft in the open ocean. After the impact with the water, several occupants momentarily lost consciousness. While two of the passengers managed to survive by swimming for over an hour to a nearby shore, the others were not as fortunate. According to survivor accounts, Gordon Moses was unconscious after the crash and is believed to have gone down with the sinking plane as his brother Adam tried to save him.
The bodies of Gordon Moses, Adam Moses, Gary Ostler, and Christopher Ostler were never recovered from the Alaskan waters, and they are all presumed to be deceased. In the aftermath, the family faced not only immense grief but also legal proceedings, as Gordon's wife filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the pilot's estate. The case is a heartbreaking illustration of how a series of tragic decisions can lead to devastating loss. The disappearance of the four men, listed as missing with the Alaska State Troopers, remains a somber chapter for their families, who were left without the closure of bringing their loved ones home for a final farewell. The remote and unforgiving nature of the Alaskan coast where the plane went down serves as a permanent, silent memorial to the lives that were lost that day.Last Seen: Jul 13, 2003
