Investigation into Deadly Alaska Plane Crash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – An investigation into a tragic plane crash in Alaska has revealed that the pilot may have been attempting to avoid a loose dog on the runway. On April 28, a Cessna 207, carrying three people, went down, resulting in the deaths of 48-year-old pilot Daniel Bunker from Homer and 37-year-old Jenny Irene Miller from Anchorage. A third passenger sustained serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital.
According to Clint Johnson, Chief of the Alaska regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), witnesses reported seeing a dog on the runway as the Cessna approached the Nanwalek airstrip. Johnson noted that the pilot began a go-around maneuver while communicating with another company aircraft. Unfortunately, during a steep climb and right turn, the plane lost control.
Johnson indicated that the crash could have been caused by an aerodynamic stall rather than an engine stall. However, he emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages, and further examination of the aircraft is essential to rule out any mechanical issues.
The crash site is located on a beach near the water, prompting urgent efforts to recover the wreckage, which was moved further from the tide. Investigators are collaborating with Smokey Bay Air and its insurance provider to facilitate the recovery process.
Investigations are ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the accident to come forward. For those who haven’t yet been contacted by the NTSB, submitting a statement online is encouraged.
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