By Neil Torquiano Channel 2 News KTUU

12:28 p.m. AKDT, September 18, 2012
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—

An Anchorage pilot and a passenger from Greece suffered minor injuries in a plane crash Monday afternoon near Talkeetna, according to Alaska State Troopers.

Troopers identified the pilot as 22-year-old Tanner Hetz, of Anchorage, and the passenger as 20-year-old Petros Mariolis, of Greece and were flying in a 1958 Piper PA-22-160.

The crash happened around 12:45 p.m. Monday about half a mile southwest of the confluence with Montana Creek.

Troopers said Hetz lost control while conducting practice maneuvers and the plane collided with a sandbar on the Susitna River.

MATCOM Public Safety Dispatch received a report of an aircraft collision and LifeMed Alaska responded and transported Hetz and Mariolis to a nearby hospital for minor injuries.

The FAA and NTSB were notified and will conduct an investigation.

Contact Neil Torguiano