Montana
Montana plane crash kills three: What we know
Three people have died following a plane crash in west central Montana, local officials said on Saturday.
The Context
The aircraft’s pilot, along with two other occupants, were pronounced dead at the scene, law enforcement reported.
What To Know
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office said it received reports of a possible downed aircraft at around 4:30 p.m. local time on Friday.
The plane was located at approximately 9 a.m. the following day by a volunteer aircraft with the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics division, the sheriff’s office said.
The scene was handed over to the United States Air Force, which also had helicopters operating nearby, said the sheriff’s office.
“The downed aircraft was located in a remote, wooded area in Youngs Creek in the Bob Marshall Wilderness—northeast of Seeley Lake,” law-enforcement said.
Members of the Powell County Coroner’s Office, Missoula County Search and Rescue, and the Seeley Lake Rural Fire Department, with support from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, reached the scene at approximately 4 p.m., according to law enforcement.
“The pilot and two other occupants were pronounced dead at the scene,” the sheriff’s office said.
Aircraft data captured by the Flightradar24 website, mapped by Newsweek below, showed the Piper PA-23 Aztec departing Billings airport in Montana, around 300 miles to the southeast, just over two hours before its signal was lost in the area of wilderness.
Newsweek contacted the Powell County Sheriff’s Office for confirmation via email form, outside of standard working hours on Sunday.
What People Are Saying
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement on social media, Saturday: “On Friday October 17th, 2025, at approximately 1630 hours, the Powell County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible downed aircraft. The last known position was in the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Northern Powell County. Air resources were deployed from Malstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls and continued to search until around midnight.
“Around 9 a.m., a volunteer aircraft operating under the command of the Montana Department of Transportation Aeronautics division, working off a weak ELT [emergency locator transmitter] signal, located the aircraft.”
What Happens Next
The Powell County Sheriff’s Office said that the investigation had been turned over to the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, which would lead work to establish the cause of the crash.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WAFF) – We have sad news from Montana, where three people from Huntsville were killed in a plane crash. WAFF talked with the sheriff in Montana Saturday night.
He say the plane crashed Friday in a very remote area of Bob Marshall Wilderness, where there is no cell signal. He says Friday afternoon the plane dropped off radar. The plane crash scene was found Saturday morning.
First responders made their way to the area, and the sheriff announced Saturday night there are no survivors.
Members of Monte Sano Baptist Church had been asking for your help, to pray for the safe return of three members of the Anderson family, who are from Huntsville and they say on that plane.
They say Mark is an experienced pilot, and he was flying with two of his daughters Lainey, and Ellie Anderson.
This is a developing story. As soon as we have more information, we will provide it here.
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The Montana Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Oct. 17, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Oct. 17 drawing
09-21-27-48-56, Mega Ball: 10
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Oct. 17 drawing
07-24-34-45-47, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Big Sky Bonus numbers from Oct. 17 drawing
14-15-19-20, Bonus: 03
Check Big Sky Bonus payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Montana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 9 p.m. MT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky For Life: 8:38 p.m. MT daily.
- Lotto America: 9 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Big Sky Bonus: 7:30 p.m. MT daily.
- Powerball Double Play: 8:59 p.m. MT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Montana Cash: 8 p.m. MT on Wednesday and Saturday.
Missed a draw? Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Great Falls Tribune editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – On October 16, 2025, at around 11:05 AM, the Montana Department of Justice announced that the Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) had a successful interdiction operation. According to Col. Kurt Sager, MHP troopers conducted an interdiction operation in Butte from October 7-14 to combat crime and remove illicit drugs from the community.
During the operation, troopers worked alongside United States Border Patrol and Air National Guard Counterdrug aviation, seizing nearly 25 grams of fentanyl powder, 11 pounds of methamphetamine, 260 pounds of marijuana, over $75,000 of illicit money, and made 39 arrests.
“Montana is no place for illegal activity. I am proud of the work that our troopers do day in and day out to get drugs and criminals off our streets to keep our communities safe,” said Sager. “We couldn’t do it without the help of our partner agencies.”
Additionally, last weekend, MHP’s Strategic Enforcement Traffic Team (SETT) was in Missoula to crack down on drunk and drugged drivers. During that operation, troopers made 260 traffic stops, made 39 arrests, issued 63 speeding violations, and issued 26 seatbelt tickets.
On National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day, less than two months ago, Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned Montanans of the dangers of illicit fentanyl.
“So far this year, fentanyl seizures in Montana are down, and that’s great news,” Knudsen said. “However, we can’t get complacent. Still, too many Montanans are dying of fentanyl overdoses. I will continue to do everything I can at the Montana Department of Justice, working with local and federal law enforcement, to get this poison off the streets and hold drug traffickers accountable.”
READ MORE: Decline In Fentanyl Seizures: What It Means For Montana
Knudsen encouraged every Montanan to join them in their effort to combat the fentanyl crisis.
“Educate yourself and your friends and family on the dangers of fentanyl and never take a pill that isn’t prescribed to you,” Knudsen said.
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