Latest news with #FairbanksInternationalAirport
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Terrified experts say US volcano set to erupt will trigger international travel chaos
An Alaskan volcano could blow at any time, and when it does, it will set of a chain reaction that would cause international chaos. Mount Spurr is an 11,000-foot-tall that sits about 80 miles from Alaska 's most densely populated city, Anchorage, which is home to nearly 300,000 residents. City residents are already bracing for a possible eruption, which experts say could happen in a matter of 'weeks to months,' but they won't be the only ones impacted by this explosive event. A massive cloud of ash billowing 50,000 feet into the air would force international hubs such as Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) and potentially Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) to shut down. Halting all incoming and departing flights at these airports could have a ripple effect across the country, resulting in widespread delays and cancellations and even disrupting the global supply chain. Hundreds of planes fly over Anchorage and Fairbanks per day, and it's not just passenger flights that would be impacted. ANC is the fourth-busiest cargo airport in the world, with more than 8,000 cargo flights passing through each month. Then last time Mount Spurr erupted in 1992, ANC shut down for 20 hours while the ash cloud hung over Anchorage. It darkened skies in the middle of the day, and ultimately settled an eighth of an inch thick across the city. Now, experts monitoring the volcano's activity warn it could blow again in a matter of 'weeks to months.' In a Tuesday morning update from the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), experts said that unrest continues at Mount Spurr, with 'frequent small volcanic earthquakes' detected beneath the volcano over the past day. 'Most of the earthquakes that are occurring under the volcano are too small to be located. Nothing unusual was observed in cloudy to partly cloudy webcam and satellite views,' the update continued. When Mount Spurr blows, the resulting ash cloud will pose a significant hazard to airplanes because the particles are highly abrasive. Flying through an ash cloud can quickly damage windscreens, fuselage surfaces, compressor fan blades and even kill the plane's engine. Ash particles can also cause critical navigational and operational instruments to fail. All of this means that it is extremely dangerous to fly a plane while a volcanic eruption is occurring nearby. So, all airports in areas affected by the ash cloud will have to shut down. ANC is perfectly positioned to transit freight between Asia and North America, which is why it is a major cargo hub. Even moderate disruptions at this airport can delay freight shipments, e-commerce and manufacturing deliveries. A total shutdown would bring all of this to a screeching halt. As for passenger flights, both ANC and FAI are also critical for polar and Pacific air routes. Flights between North America and Asia, or the US and Europe, sometimes rely on these airports for diversion, refueling or emergency landings. Closing them would force incoming passenger flights to re-route, resulting in longer flight times and congestion at alternate airports. Any departing flights from these airports would be grounded until the ash cloud clears, which could take hours or days depending on how long the eruption lasts. Therefore, Mount Spurr has the potential to snare travel and cargo logistics, resulting in disruptions that extend far beyond the Alaskan border. The last time this volcano erupted was in 1992, when it saw three back-to-back explosive events in July, August and September. During the August eruption, ANC shut down for about 20 hours, impacting commerce and transportation. The Municipality of Anchorage reported nearly $2million in damages, office closures and cleanup costs from the August eruption. No one was killed by these events directly. But two heart attacks, one fatal, from shoveling ashfall were reported in Anchorage. Breathing in ash also poses a health hazards. The tiny particles can work their way deep into the lungs, worsening symptoms for people with respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis. If Spurr blows again, the event 'would be explosive,' Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO), previously told adding that it would probably look similar to Mount Spurr's last eruption in 1992. He and his colleagues at the AVO have been monitoring the volcano's heightened activity since April 2024, keeping track of shallow earthquakes, ground deformation, and gas and steam emissions. All of these are signs of an impending eruption. If Mount Spurr's activity continues to ramp up, the next sign of an eruption will be a volcanic tremor, Haney said. This would be different from the brief, shallow earthquakes this volcano has already been experiencing. A volcanic tremor is a longer stretch of ongoing shaking that can persist for minutes to days. It occurs when magma beneath the volcano begins rising toward the surface as the eruption grows imminent. Back in June 1992 — the last time Mount Spurr erupted — volcanic tremors began about three weeks before it finally blew.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
NTSB: Faulty repair partly caused fatal crash of fuel-laden cargo plane near Fairbanks
Apr. 16—A cargo plane loaded with fuel that crashed near Fairbanks last year, killing both pilots on board, had a recently replaced engine and an ongoing fuel leak in the days before the crash, federal investigators say. The Douglas DC-4 owned and operated by Wasilla-based Alaska Air Fuel went down after leaving Fairbanks International Airport in April 2024. The plane, en route to the Northwest Alaska village of Kobuk for a fuel delivery, carried 3,400 gallons of unleaded fuel and two 100-gallon propane tanks. The plane crashed onto Tanana River ice about 7 miles southwest of the airport, slid into a bluff and was consumed by flames. Pilot John Sliwinski, 68, and co-pilot Harry Secoy, 63, died in the crash. Both men were experienced pilots; Sliwinski owned Alaska Air Fuel. A final report released by the National Transportation Safety Board this month describes a series of sudden and catastrophic mechanical problems that preceded the crash. Three minutes into the flight, the pilots reported a fire and turned back for the airport, according to the new report. Witnesses said they noticed one of the plane's four engines wasn't running before seeing a plume of white smoke and then flames before the engine exploded. The plane dropped into an uncontrolled left turn and crashed within five or six minutes of takeoff, the report said. Air-traffic control audio that circulated after the crash includes the voice of one pilot informing controllers the plane is returning before saying, "Tell 'em I love 'em, man, tell 'em I love 'em," as it dropped from radar. Maintenance records showed the engine that malfunctioned was an overhauled unit installed a week before the crash, the report said. The Alaska Air Fuels director of operations also told the NTSB a fuel tank near the engine "was reported in the days before the accident to leak when full," lead investigator Mark Ward wrote. Fuel leaked into a space behind the engine and dripped out of the wing, the report said. "Although a repair had been made, this repair did not fix the leak," Ward wrote. "For several days before the accident, the airplane was parked with full fuel tanks, dripping fuel into the wing space" behind the engine. Investigators also discovered an incorrectly installed nut that would have produced "a spray of high-pressure oil around the hot exhaust system" when the pilots tried to feather the plane's propeller as they tried to control the aircraft in those last moments, the report said. That's what caused the white smoke and fire witnesses described before the fuel behind the engine ignited, resulting in the explosion, it said. The agency determined the probable cause of the crash was a loss of power in that engine "for reasons that could not be determined" and the incorrect installation of the nut, allowing oil to spray onto the exhaust system. Investigators found a contributing factor was the incorrectly repaired fuel leak. Alaska Air Fuel used the Douglas DC-4 to haul fuel to remote locations. The planes, which are increasingly rare, were originally used by the military, including during World War II. The military version of the DC-4 is known as the C-54 Skymaster. Sliwinski was remembered at a memorial service last year as a passionate aviator, family man and active member of the Anchorage Grace Church community. Secoy worked as an attorney in Washington state for about two decades, according to the Everett Herald. He was a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot who spent his last years working in Alaska as a DC-4 pilot.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
We flew through America's least-visited national park. What was it like?
Julie and I love visiting national parks, but a few, like Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, are more challenging to reach. The remote park sits above the Arctic Circle and only received 11,045 visitors in 2023. I never dreamed that our nineteenth park would be America's least-visited national park. Most of our national park visits involve scenic drives and hikes. Admittedly, this one was quite different. We flew through the park. What was the experience really like, and what can you expect when planning your adventure? A flightseeing tour above the Arctic Circle requires advance planning. Northern Alaska Tour Company was founded in 1987 and has a strong track record of unparalleled experiences, so we felt comfortable partnering with them for our bucket list adventure. We found the company easy to work with and great with communication before and during our trip. The outfit offers many adventures, including trips to Denali National Park, the Arctic Circle, and the Yukon River. Our excursion is called "Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure." It is an evening round-trip flight above the Arctic Circle through the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. You can review trip options and make reservations through the company link above or by calling 800-474-1986. Northern Alaska Tour Company is located on the East Ramp of the Fairbanks International Airport, at 3820 University Avenue South, Fairbanks, AK 99709. Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska, presents several challenges. The park does not contain any official roads or trails, and the weather is very unpredictable. While the best way to truly explore the park is by backpacking or floating along one of its many rivers, only those with extensive wilderness experience and survival knowledge should attempt it. For many of us, flying through the park is the most practical option. But that comes at a cost. Prices vary depending on the timing of your visit and which adventure you choose, but it can run upwards of $700 per person. I consider flying above the Arctic Circle a once-in-a-lifetime event. Among our travels, Julie and I rank Alaska as our favorite place due to its surreal natural beauty and unique adventures. Yes, flying through Gates of the Arctic costs considerably more than your average national park visit. However, the jaw-dropping scenery is unparalleled, and the experience is something we will never forget. When you make reservations, the tour company will ask for your weight. This is not one of those times to give an artificially low number due to embarrassment. The pilot must balance the aircraft and ensure the total weight stays within safe limits. You may bring a bag aboard, but the maximum weight is typically five to ten pounds. Yes, they weigh your bags upon check-in. The tour usually takes four to five hours. We advise you to use the restroom before your flight. The pilot will stop in Coldfoot, Alaska, for a restroom break and a brief ground tour. Coldfoot sits about sixty miles north of the Arctic Circle and is a gateway town to the Gates of the Arctic National Park. Food is not included with the tour. You can order a bag lunch at check-in, and your guide will deliver it when you land in Coldfoot. Julie and I chose to do this. Although not fancy, the food was fresh, ample, and tasty. You can choose from several sandwich options and add chips, fruit, a cookie, and a drink. The flight is nothing like a large commercial aircraft. Most tours use a 9-passenger twin-engine Navajo Chieftain. A single row of double seats lines the plane from front to back, behind the pilot. You do not need to stress about where to sit for the best view. Each passenger has a window and a spectacular view. Because the plane is small, you will feel it bouncing in the wind. Please do not let that prevent you from this trip of a lifetime. If we can handle it, anyone can. Julie struggles with motion sickness, and I have a fear of heights. She took a Dramamine before the flight and felt fine. I was so enamored with the jaw-dropping scenery that I did not experience any issues. While the views are fantastic, capturing quality photos is a challenge. Because our plane bounced in the wind, nearly every picture I snapped included a section of a wing or propeller. The plane is rather loud due to the engines. Our pilot gave everyone a headset to cushion the noise and mention highlights. Although not necessarily a bad thing, do not expect to have a casual conversation with your travel partner. You will enjoy the tour but mostly communicate through smiles, thumbs up, and pointing. Because you are flying over the Arctic Circle, it can get a bit chilly, even in summer. Dress for warmth and comfort. I cannot think of a more appropriate name for an Alaska town than Coldfoot. It was originally a gold rush town, named in 1900 when early prospectors supposedly got "cold feet" and left before winter. To call it a town is a bit of a stretch, though. Our tour guide advised us that Coldfoot has a permanent population of two. So, what can you see in Coldfoot? The two primary attractions are Coldfoot Camp and the Arctic Interagency Visitor Center. Coldfoot Camp is a truck stop for weary travelers on the famous Dalton Highway, a rough industrial 414-mile road from Livengood to Prudhoe Bay, some of the planet's most remote places. The Arctic Interagency Visitor Center serves as the visitor center for Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska. Our guide for the ground portion of the tour greeted us at the Coldfoot Airport. Much like calling Coldfoot a town, this is being generous. I would describe it as a landing strip. We loaded into a van and received our lunch bags while she talked about the area, providing history and insightful tips. Most tour groups go to Coldfoot Camp. Due to our strong interest in national parks, I was thrilled to see the visitor center for Gates of the Arctic National Park instead. The facility has fantastic exhibits, a theater, restrooms, and a small gift shop. We proudly got our passport stamps and purchased a Gates of the Arctic patch to officially commemorate our visit. Our time on the ground may have totaled half an hour. However, it is the thrill of a lifetime to know we landed above the Arctic Circle and entered the Gates of the Arctic Visitor Center. Our primary goal was to see the national park, so the "Gates of the Arctic Air Adventure" was perfect. If you want to spend more time on the ground above the Arctic Circle, look at Northern Alaska Tour Company's other options. After our ground tour, we hopped back on the plane and headed toward the park. Two iconic peaks, Frigid Crags and Boreal Mountain, form the Gates of the Arctic, the passage to the national park. It is America's second-biggest national park and one of the eight amazing Alaska national parks. To give you a sense of how big it is, we flew through the park for over an hour and only glimpsed a third of it. Gates of the Arctic is genuinely an untouched masterpiece of nature in its most raw and pure form. It feels like a picture-perfect Bob Ross painting, with wild rivers snaking through massive valleys between snowcapped mountains. Touches of green, yellow, and red highlight the landscape here and there. I have never seen a place so vast and beautiful in my life. The massive vista seemed to stretch into eternity. As we flew, layer after layer of mountains came into view. The park is so beautiful and surreal that it is practically beyond comprehension. After basking in the glorious park views for over an hour, we returned to Fairbanks with euphoric smiles. The Northern Alaska Tour Company presented us with certificates to document our achievement in crossing Alaska's Arctic Circle. Visiting the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska requires more planning and money than a typical park visit. However, it is a bucket list destination with scenery, unlike anything we have seen before. The Northern Alaska Tour Company does an outstanding job. AJ, our pilot, expertly guided us and provided meaningful insight. Although the ride was a little bouncy, we felt safe in AJ's capable hands. Everyone within Northern Alaska Tour Company was friendly, helpful, and competent, making our experience something I will always cherish. Typically, I prefer to explore a national park by driving and hiking. It makes me feel more connected to the park. That said, Alaska's unparalleled beauty mesmerized us from the back of a cruise ship in Glacier Bay and now from a plane in Gates of the Arctic. Those are two of my fondest travel memories. Not only was this trip a dream come true for Julie and me, but it also landed us a spot in two elite groups. We already mentioned that Gates of the Arctic was our nation's least visited national park last year. According to our Coldfoot tour guide, only about 4% of Alaska visitors travel above the Arctic Circle. Plan your Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska adventure, and you will be in rare company. We welcome you with open arms.
