Stephen Duane Zeckser, 51, of Juneau, disappeared on December 27, 2000, when the small aircraft he was on with Edgar Burch left Juneau for Young Bay and never arrived. The missing plane was reported to the Alaska State Troopers the same day; despite search efforts, the aircraft was never located and no wreckage or remains have been found.

Zeckser was described as a White male, 5 feet 10 inches tall, about 170 pounds, with blond or strawberry-colored hair and blue eyes. He was reportedly wearing a life jacket for the flight. A Kansas native and Kansas State University graduate, Zeckser worked long-term in federal civil service and spent 21 years with the U.S. Forest Service, most recently as director of acquisition management. He was married 27 years and a father of four.

Very little is known about the flight path or what happened after takeoff; the case file remains with the Alaska State Troopers and the plane has never been found. If anyone had contact with Zeckser before the flight or saw the aircraft that day, please share what is known.