Update: Investigators say the accident was likely due to a dog on the runway, forcing the plane to abort the landing.
Alaska State Troopers are responding to a small plane crash near the south end of the Kenai Peninsula.
Two people perished and one is in critical condition. It appears from photos shared on social media that the plane, a small commercial commuter, crashed on the beach at about 2 pm.
The injured passenger has reportedly been medevaced to Anchorage.
On Tuesday morning, Gov. Mike Dunleavy released a statement that said the pilot, Dan Bunker, and passenger Jenny Miller were the two who died in the crash.
“The First Lady and I are heartbroken by the tragic plane crash near Nanwalek. We send our deepest condolences to the families of Daniel Bunker and Jenny Miller, and we’re praying for the recovery of the injured passenger,” he said.
Bunker is a well-known pilot and bear-viewing guide. A tribute to him can be seen here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DaCBC7DsP
Miller was a young professional photographer originally from Nome and a shareholder in Bering Straits Native Corp.
The crash site is near the Nanwalek, which is a hamlet formerly known as English Bay where there is a short gravel air strip. It is south of Homer, southwest of Seldovia and near Port Graham.
The plane was a regularly scheduled flight from Smokey Bay Air, which is a commercial air charter service out of Homer. The tail number of the plane is N91025, and the same plane crashed in Nanwalek in 2016, and was brought back into service.
Read about the previous crash at this link.
At AirNav.com, these conditions exist at Nanwalek:
| Dimensions: | 1850 x 50 ft. / 564 x 15 m RY 01/19 N 1000 FT CLSD INDEFLY; RMNDR 850 FT SOFT. | ||
| Surface: | gravel, in poor condition RY SOFT, RUTS & 4 IN DIAM LOOSE ROCKS ON SFC. RY SOFT AFTER HARD RAIN, RUTS AND LOOSE ROCKS ON SFC. | ||
| Runway edge markings: | RYS 01 & 19 END & EDGES NOT MKD, DUE TO HIGH WINDS & WATER EROSION. | ||
| Operational restrictions: | THE RY IS ARC SHAPED WITH A MAGNETIC HEADING OF 010 DEGS ON ONE END OF THE RY AND A HEADING OF 190 DEGS ON THE OTHER END OF THE RY. WIDTH CHANGES BTWN 75-80 FT LENGTH OF RY. | ||
– BE ALERT DURING EASTERLY CROSSWINDS DUE TO STRONG DOWNDRAFTS AND GUSTY CONDITIONS.
– WX CAMERA AVBL ON INTERNET AT HTTPS://WEATHERCAMS.FAA.GOV
– RWY 01/19 NORTH 1000 FT CLOSED INDEF, ENTIRE RWY SFC SOFT WITH LOOSE GRVL.
– RWY 01/19 NORTH 1000 FT CLOSED INDEF, ENTIRE RWY SFC SOFT WITH LOOSE GRVL.
– RWY CONDITION NOT MONITORED, RECOMMEND VISUAL INSPECTION PRIOR TO USING.
– RY 19 APCH RSTRD BY VILLAGE ON HILLSIDE. RY 01 APCH RSTRD BY ABRUPT MOUNTAIN FACE .21 NM OFF RY END.
– LIMITED TNST ACFT PARKING FACILITY.
– DAY VFR ONLY.
– FREQUENT ALL TERRAIN VEH TRAFFIC ON RWY.
– TURBULENCE DUE TO VARIABLE WINDS AND CLOSE IN HIGH TERRAIN AT EACH END OF RUNWAY. NO OVER RUN AT END OF RWY 19.
The NTSB reported Tuesday that they have opened up an investigation. Aviators in the area said the weather was mild and did not appear to be a contributor to the crash.
Typical landing in Nanwalek:
Check back for updates.
May God Bless them and comfort the survivor.
Bad news for sure.
It is way over due for a new runway there. If the media showed the world an aerial view, they would see for themselves how bad that runway is.
Anyone know the type of aircraft involved? Rest their souls.🙏
Cessna T207, also some new updates in the story. – sd
Praying for the families of Jenny and Dan. My heart is saddened, as Homer has lost a friend and great pilot.
My heart and prayers go out to the families. Very sorry to hear this !
There have been other fatalities at this runway in the past. It is quite short and has a slight curve to it. And there are hills at each end that have to be carefully negotiated coming and going. Very carefully!
The Cessna 207 is a big and heavy single engine 6-7 passenger high wing aircraft. It will use up most of the runway either landing or taking off. Aborting a landing or take off leaves little room for error. Accidents usually end up in the water.
The longer this runway is used the more likely there will be future accidents.
The owner of the dig is whom? Hope they have lotsa insurance.