Latest news with #Cessna207
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Pilot Likely Tried to Avoid Loose Dog on Runway Before Crash That Killed Him and Passenger: NTSB
An aircraft crashed in Nanwalek, Alaska, on April 28, killing pilot Daniel Bunker and passenger Jenny Miller An NTSB official said a loose dog was on the runway at the time the Cessna was making its approach The cause of the crash is under investigation A Cessna 207 airplane crashed in Alaska earlier this week, killing two people inside, and authorities are now saying that the pilot may have been trying to avoid a loose dog on the runway as the aircraft was making its approach. According to Alaska State Troopers, authorities were notified on Monday, April 28, at 1:57 p.m., local time, of a plane crash in Nanwalek near an airport. They arrived at the scene where first responders and good Samaritans were helping the three people from the aircraft. 'One adult male passenger was medevaced to an Anchorage area hospital with serious injuries, and the two other occupants were killed in the crash,' authorities said. Related: 3 People Dead After Small Plane Crashes Near Rural Tennessee Airport In a preliminary report, the FAA said the aircraft 'crashed for unknown reasons on the runway and went into the water at the end of the runway.' It also listed Smokey Bay Air as the aircraft's operator. Authorities identified the two deceased victims as pilot Daniel Bunker, 48, of Homer, and passenger Jenny Miller, 37, of Anchorage. The identity of the injured passenger has not been released. 'The NTSB has begun an investigation into the cause of the crash. Miller and Bunker's next of kin have been notified and their bodies have been sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for autopsy,' Alaska State Troopers said. Related: Dad Found One Last Video of Wife and Daughter Taking Off Before D.C. Plane Crash: 'Always in Our Hearts' (Exclusive) According to CBS affiliate KTUU, witnesses observed a loose dog on the runway as the Cessna 207 traveling from Homer was about to land on the Nanwalek airstrip. 'What we understand now is that there may have been an animal, namely a dog, that was on the runway,' Clint Johnson, chief of the NTSB's Alaska regional office, told the outlet. 'The pilot initiated a go-around,' Johnson continued. 'There was also another company airplane behind — he was talking to that airplane at the same time — said he was initiating the go-around, made a right turn away from the runway, pretty steep climb, and unfortunately, there was a loss of control.' He also said the aircraft may have stalled, but he didn't want to draw any conclusions yet as the investigation into the crash is still in its early stages. Related: 5 Police Officers Killed After Plane Crashes into Ocean Near Popular Beach Town: Reports 'We are going to be looking very closely at that airplane,' Johnson said, per KTUU. 'We are in the recovery process right now to get that airplane back to Homer and probably eventually back to Anchorage here where we are going to lay it out and make sure there are no mechanical issues that led to this loss of control.' PEOPLE contacted the NTSB for additional information on Wednesday, April 30. The Seldovia Village Tribe, a tribal government representing the Southern Kenai Peninsula communities, acknowledged Bunker's passing in a Facebook post. 'We are deeply saddened by the tragic plane crash involving Smokey Bay Air, and we mourn the loss of Daniel Bunker—a skilled pilot and kind soul who served our communities with dedication,' the tribe said. Related: No Survivors Found After Plane Crashes into a Minnesota Home, Sparking Fiery Blaze According to the Anchorage Daily News, Miller was a photographer and artist whose works have been shown around the world. She was also a board member of the Alaska-based nonprofit group Native Movement, which paid tribute to her following her death. 'She broadened the expression of both Alaska Native and Queer identity, making it possible for more people to be our authentic selves,' their statement read. 'In her own words: 'Being grounded in my Iñupiaq culture has given me strength and propelled me into my work around decolonizing gender and sexuality.' ' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Jenny was a role-model and mentor for LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit youth,' the nonprofit added. 'She prioritized creating safe spaces for the community, and in particular for the Alaska Native trans and two-spirit community, spaces where people could feel safe and supported in being themselves. Jenny had a deep commitment to justice for people and Mother Earth.' Read the original article on People
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Bizarre new theory about why Alaska tour plane crashed and killed two people
Officials have said a deadly plane crash at a beach in Alaska this week may have unfolded after the pilot swerved to avoid a loose dog on the runway. A Cessna 207 tour plane carrying three people went down just before 2pm on Monday, killing pilot Daniel Bunker, 48, and passenger Jenny Irene Miller, 37. An unidentified male passenger was also on board, and he was rushed to hospital in Anchorage with 'serious' injuries, officials added. Witnesses said the horror unfolded after a dog ran loose on the runway in Nanwalek, where the plane had been due to land. 'What we understand now is that there may have been an animal, namely a dog, that was on the runway,' Clint Johnson, Chief of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska regional office, told Alaska's News Source. 'The pilot initiated a go-around. There was also another company airplane behind - he was talking to that airplane at the same time - said he was initiating the go-around, made a right turn away from the runway, pretty steep climb, and unfortunately, there was a loss of control.' Johnson said investigators believe the plane may have been hit with an aerodynamic stall, though the investigation is still ongoing. 'We don't want to draw any conclusions at this point,' he said. 'We still are in the very formative stages. We are going to be looking very closely at that airplane. 'We are in the recovery process right now to get that airplane back to Homer and probably eventually back to Anchorage here where we are going to lay it out and make sure there are no mechanical issues that led to this loss of control.' Johnson said the plane crashed on the beach close to the water, and rescuers are working to extract it. 'Right after the accident ... rescuers were able to pull that wreckage up a little bit further away from the water, but nevertheless it is in the tide zone,' he said. The plane was operated by Smokey Bay Air, a tour operator which offers trips to Seldovia and bear-viewing expeditions from Homer Airport. The NTSB said investigators are working with the operator and its insurance company to coordinate the recovery of the wreckage. Pilot Daniel Bunker was from Homer, while Jenny Irene Miller was from Anchorage. It's not known where the third passenger was from. Bunker was a father-of-two with his partner Melissa. He frequently posted family photographs on his Instagram account. He was also a naturalist brown bear guide, amateur photographer and volunteer firefighter. Bunker was remembered by Seldovia Village Tribe as 'a skilled pilot and kind soul who served our communities with dedication'. Miller was an artist and freelance photographer who created portraits of Alaska Natives and their homelands. She leaves behind her partner Nora, according to a fundraising page for her family. Miller worked as a board member for Native Movement, who said her Iñupiaq name is Wiagañmiu. 'She broadened the expression of both Alaska Native and Queer identity, making it possible for more people to be our authentic selves,' the organization said. Friends remembered her as an 'amazing human being' who would be 'deeply missed by many'. Her friend Tikaan Galbreath paid tribute to her as a 'bright and kind human doing good work for the world'. 'She was a good friend who always reminded me to be thoughtful of others and caring even when it's hard to be,' Galbreath wrote on her fundraising page. 'Every time I had the chance to be with her, it felt like the simple joys were more clearly present and laughter was easy to find. I'll sorely miss her friendship.' Officials are continuing to interview witnesses, and anyone with information is encouraged to get in touch by email to witness@
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
2 die, 1 seriously injured in plane crash on Kenai Peninsula
Two people died and another was seriously injured in the crash of a small commercial flight on the southern Kenai Peninsula on Monday afternoon. The crash occurred near the community of Nanwalek, authorities said. All the people aboard the plane were adults, Alaska State Troopers spokesman Austin McDaniel said. The injured person was medevaced to an Anchorage hospital, McDaniel said. The single-engine Cessna 207 that took off from Homer crashed around 2 p.m., according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Nanwalek is on the southern Kenai Peninsula near the mouth of Cook Inlet. An NTSB investigator arrived in the community Monday afternoon. The crash occurred near the community's airport, McDaniel said.
Newsweek
29-04-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Alaska Plane Crash Leaves Two Dead: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A plane crash in Alaska's Nanwalek has killed two people and left one seriously injured, according to local reports. The crash on the southern Kenai Peninsula involved a single-engine Cessna 207 that took off from Homer at around 2 p.m. on Monday, Anchorage Daily News reported, citing the National Transportation Safety Board. It was a small commercial flight. All three victims were adults and the injured person was "medevaced to an Anchorage area hospital," said a statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, ABC News reported. "Our thoughts are with all those involved," said Alaska's Department of Transport and Public Facilities in a post on X. This is a developing article and more information will be added soon.
