Whitefish man dies in plane crash

Hugh Rogers, 50, a popular veterinarian here in Whitefish, died Wednesday, April 1, after his plane crashed on the ice on Hungry Horse Reservoir about 35 miles south of the dam. There were no other people aboard the plane.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office received a report from Montana Aeronautics about 5:15 p.m. on April 1 of a satellite receiving an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal from the area of the Hungry Horse Reservoir.

The sheriff's office mobilized North Valley Search and Rescue and asked for assistance from the Alert helicopter in locating the downed aircraft. Weather conditions, including strong winds, snow and poor visibility, prevented the Alert helicopter from flying in the area. Using a grid search pattern, searchers proceeded on snowmobiles.

Searchers located the wreckage of the plane at about 12:30 a.m. on April 2. The 1967 Maule M-4 bush plane apparently skidded on the ice, leaving a 240-foot long debris field. The fuselage was crushed, but the plane was upright and had not burned.

Four members of the search and rescue team stayed with the victim until morning, when the body was transported to the Montana Crime Lab for an autopsy. The sheriff's office is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the accident.

April 1 was Rogers' 50th birthday, and friends and family had gathered for a surprise party at the Mountain Trails Saddle Club cabin when they heard the news.

An avid outdoorsman, Rogers loved flying, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. He reportedly often made recreational flights over the Hungry Horse Reservoir and knew the area well.

Rogers was the owner and operator of Alpine Animal Hospital on U.S. Highway 93 South. Rogers relocated to Whitefish from Diggs, Idaho, in 1997 with his wife Roxane and have been in business ever since.

He is credited with being one of the earlier supporters of the Flathead Spay and Neuter Task Force. He participated in the Task Force's first clinic in 1998, and he was considered a champion of homeless animals, including animals left homeless by Hurricane Katrina.

A licensed pilot who often flew his Maule M-4 airplane with his dog Dusty, Rogers volunteered his time for the Angel Flight organization, which provides free air flights for people needing specialized medical attention.

Rogers also contributed to numerous local charities, from local food banks and the Lighthouse Christian Home to Stumptown Art Studio and the Whitefish Community Foundation.

Alpine Animal Hospital was a "mixed practice" that cared for mostly dogs, cats and horses. Alan Barton, a doctor of veterinary medicine, had recently joined the business.