Reflecting on the dangers of Alaska's aviation

Yahoo

12-02-2025

A plane flies over the town after taking off from the dirt runway on Sept. 14, 2019, in Kivalina, Alaska. (Photo by)
It's heartbreaking when you hear about another crash like the recent one near Nome. For people in rural Alaska, flying is the only way to stay connected, and it's a huge part of their daily lives. This tragedy raises a vital question: Are we doing enough to protect those who depend on flying in some of the most remote and perilous conditions in the U.S.?
As the plane, en route from Unalakleet to Nome, lost contact shortly after notifying air traffic control, radar showed a sudden loss of speed and altitude. The Emergency Locator Transmitter , which usually signals distress upon exposure to seawater, failed to activate, complicating rescue efforts. Despite freezing temperatures overnight, the response from local and federal agencies – including the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard – was swift. However, the limited access to the crash site delayed efforts, highlighting concerns about outdated technology, such as the frequent non-distress Emergency Locator Transmitter alerts.
The recovery of the wreckage and confirmation of fatalities is tragic. This is not the first rural Alaskan crash, nor will it be the last. Alaska's vast, often inaccessible terrain, paired with unpredictable weather, makes air travel a lifeline for many communities — placing them at higher risk when something goes wrong.
In Alaska, flying isn't a luxury; it's essential. With most communities cut off from road systems, small planes are the only means of transport for people and goods. From high school sporting events to vital services, air travel is a necessity. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, between 1990 and 2015, Alaska accounted for over a third of U.S. commuter and air taxi accidents, including more than 20% of fatalities. Yet, as the need for flights increases, these risks are often overlooked. For example, Bering Air serves 32 villages in Western Alaska, connecting them with hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet .
Current systems, though helpful, rely on outdated technology and infrastructure ill-equipped to handle Alaska's harsh conditions. The swift response from the Coast Guard and Alaska National Guard was commendable, but limited access to the crash site delayed rescue efforts. Lt. Col. Brian Porter, director of operations for the Civil Air Patrol's Alaska Wing, highlighted a significant issue in Alaska's aviation safety: Many Emergency Locator Transmitter notifications are 'non-distress' alerts, often triggered by unintentional activation of the beacon or inadequate servicing. As Porter noted in a Jan. 16, 2025, article from the Alaska National Guard, 'Every ELT notification is treated as a real distress call until rescue personnel can confirm it is a false alert.' False alerts can complicate rescue operations, diverting valuable resources and putting responders at risk in Alaska's treacherous terrain. Regular servicing and proper registration of ELTs, Porter emphasized, are important steps in minimizing these unnecessary disruptions. Investing in updated technology, policies that ensure regular aircraft inspections, modernized ELTs, and real-time tracking systems are some steps in addressing the unique challenges of aviation safety in Alaska's remote environment.
Though Alaska's leaders have shared their condolences, the ongoing challenges with aviation safety remind us all that more needs to be done. Investing in things like better funding for safety programs and more thorough crew training could go a long way in reducing future risks.
This crash is not an isolated incident. It is part of a troubling pattern of airborne accidents across the U.S., underscored by a recent dismantling of TSA protocols and cuts to safety measures. These tragedies bring up deeper questions about aviation safety — not only in Alaska, but nationwide.
As we mourn the lives lost, it is time to consider the ongoing need for improvements in air travel safety across Alaska. Alaskans deserve policies that address the unique challenges of remote communities and protect those who rely on air travel, no matter how extreme the conditions.
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