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.
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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.
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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.
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'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.
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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.' '
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'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.'
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