The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office identified a pair of Washington men as the victims of last weekend’s fatal airplane crash at a back country airstrip outside of West Glacier.  

Dwight Steffanson, 69, from College Place, Washington and Thomas Gladden 68, from Otis Orchards, Washington died after their single-engine plane ran off the runway at Ryan Field on July 26.  

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of Mr. Steffanson and Mr. Gladden during this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on Facebook.  

Authorities took the bodies to the Montana State Crime Lab for autopsies, according to the post.  

The 1975 Grumman American AA-5 Tiger plane was registered under Gladden’s name in April 2024, according to registration records. Records indicate the aircraft was co-owned.  

Flight records indicated the plane landed at Ryan Field the day before the crash at 4:36 p.m. after departing from Kellogg, Idaho. 

Law enforcement and rescue personnel responded to a report of an aircraft that had gone off the runway at about 9:41 a.m., July 26. The plane was fully engulfed in flames when they arrived, and fire suppression efforts were initiated. 

Witnesses said the plane was taking off when it crashed, according to Sheriff Brian Heino. 

The Coram-West Glacier Volunteer Fire Department, Hungry Horse Fire Department, Martin City Fire Department, Three Rivers Ambulance, Flathead County Office of Emergency Services and members of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Posse also responded. 

A FEDERAL investigator is at the scene looking into the cause of the crash, according to Keith Holloway, spokesperson for the National Transportation Safety Board.  

After inspecting the aircraft at the scene, it will be taken to a secure facility for further evaluation, he said.  

Investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment, according to Holloway.  

Investigators look at recordings of any air traffic control communications, flight track data, weather reports, witness statements and aircraft maintenance records. They will also conduct a 72-hour background check on the pilot to determine if anything happened that could have affected the pilot’s ability to fly, according to Holloway.  

The federal agency is in the early stages of the investigation, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident. A final report detailing the probable cause of the crash is not expected for one to two years. 

Witnesses or those with surveillance video relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the federal agency at [email protected].  

Ryan Airfield is a private runway owned by the nonprofit Recreational Aviation Foundation. The space also offers campsites and cabins on either side of the strip.   

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and [email protected].