Birchwood crash victims include former NTSB investigator

The pilot of a plane that crashed on Wednesday, killing all four aboard, was an experienced airman with a long history with the FAA and the NTSB.
George Kobelnyk, age 64, was flying the Cessna 172 when it plunged through dense woods and crashed, shortly after takeoff from the Birchwood Airport.
Shaun Williams, an investigator with the NTSB, said on Wednesday, that investigators would be working on Thursday to remove the wreckage.
It is difficult, he said, because “the Alaska air community