On Monday, September 1, 2025, at approximately 1:31, pm., the Augusta Regional Communications Center received a report of a plane crash on Flagstaff Lake in Dead River Township.  The preliminary investigation indicates that a 1956 Cessna 170B float plane was attempting to take off from the lake when it crashed.

On board were the pilot, Stephen Vorpagel, 62, of Readfield and one passenger.  Both individuals were rescued, brought to shore, and suffered minor injuries/abrasions in the crash.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation  No addiional details are available at this time according to a press release received this evening from Shannon Moss, Public Information Officer, for the Maine Department of Public Safety.