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Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Bizarre new theory about why Alaska tour plane crashed and killed two people
Officials have said a deadly plane crash at a beach in Alaska this week may have unfolded after the pilot swerved to avoid a loose dog on the runway. A Cessna 207 tour plane carrying three people went down just before 2pm on Monday, killing pilot Daniel Bunker, 48, and passenger Jenny Irene Miller, 37. An unidentified male passenger was also on board, and he was rushed to hospital in Anchorage with 'serious' injuries, officials added. Witnesses said the horror unfolded after a dog ran loose on the runway in Nanwalek, where the plane had been due to land. '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 National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska regional office, told Alaska's News Source. 'The pilot initiated a go-around. 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.' Johnson said investigators believe the plane may have been hit with an aerodynamic stall, though the investigation is still ongoing. 'We don't want to draw any conclusions at this point,' he said. 'We still are in the very formative stages. We are going to be looking very closely at that airplane. '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.' Johnson said the plane crashed on the beach close to the water, and rescuers are working to extract it. 'Right after the accident ... rescuers were able to pull that wreckage up a little bit further away from the water, but nevertheless it is in the tide zone,' he said. The plane was operated by Smokey Bay Air, a tour operator which offers trips to Seldovia and bear-viewing expeditions from Homer Airport. The NTSB said investigators are working with the operator and its insurance company to coordinate the recovery of the wreckage. Pilot Daniel Bunker was from Homer, while Jenny Irene Miller was from Anchorage. It's not known where the third passenger was from. Bunker was a father-of-two with his partner Melissa. He frequently posted family photographs on his Instagram account. He was also a naturalist brown bear guide, amateur photographer and volunteer firefighter. Bunker was remembered by Seldovia Village Tribe as 'a skilled pilot and kind soul who served our communities with dedication'. Miller was an artist and freelance photographer who created portraits of Alaska Natives and their homelands. She leaves behind her partner Nora, according to a fundraising page for her family. Miller worked as a board member for Native Movement, who said her Iñupiaq name is Wiagañmiu. 'She broadened the expression of both Alaska Native and Queer identity, making it possible for more people to be our authentic selves,' the organization said. Friends remembered her as an 'amazing human being' who would be 'deeply missed by many'. Her friend Tikaan Galbreath paid tribute to her as a 'bright and kind human doing good work for the world'. 'She was a good friend who always reminded me to be thoughtful of others and caring even when it's hard to be,' Galbreath wrote on her fundraising page. 'Every time I had the chance to be with her, it felt like the simple joys were more clearly present and laughter was easy to find. I'll sorely miss her friendship.' Officials are continuing to interview witnesses, and anyone with information is encouraged to get in touch by email to witness@
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
2 men missing, believed dead, after ATV crashes through river ice in Alaska
Alaska Wildlife Troopers are conducting an aerial search operation after a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle carrying five adults broke through the ice on the Susitna River Thursday morning. They were on their way to a job site on Point MacKenzie, about 90 miles north of Anchorage, on March 6. Troopers said in a statement that they received a report last Thursday that the ATV crashed through the ice around 8:45 a.m. "Three people were able to get out of the water, but two were reported to have gone under the ice in the current," the statement said. Troopers believe 32-year-old Skye Rench of Wasilla and 42-year-old Sean Kendall of Anchorage drowned after they fell through the river ice and were swept away. Skye Rench, 32, of Wasilla, Alaska, is one of two men missing and presumed dead after an ATV crashed through the Susitna River on March, 6. (Photo credit: GoFundMe) Sean Kendall, 42, of Anchorage, and his son Koen. (Photo credit: GoFundMe) Sky Rench's fiancée, Heidi Goozen, told Alaska's News Source that Rench was working for a drilling company with a remote project that required crossing the Susitna River. According to Goozen, Rench became worried last Wednesday when warmer temperatures brought rain. The incident happened Thursday morning during a crew change when five people were crossing the river on an ATV and it went through the ice, Goozen explained. "One of the survivors - who was a close friend of Rench's - told Goozen the back half of the ATV went through the ice and while they tried to save Rench and the other man, they were unable to get them out of the water before they were swept away," Alaska's News Source reported. The three people who made it safely out of the water walked to a nearby work camp and were later picked up by a chartered helicopter. Because ice in the area is unstable, troopers are using a plane to search for the two missing men from where the ATV plunged through the ice, downstream to the mouth of the Susitna River. Heidi Goozen and Skye Rench. (Photo credit: GoFundMe) Goozen said Rench loved to be outdoors and recently accomplished a lifelong dream by racing in "The World's Longest, Toughest Snowmobile Race" with his best friend Kevin, who was also on the ATV but managed to escape the icy river. "When they were young, they said they always wanted to race the Iron Dog, and this year they finally made it happen," Goozen told said. "It was quite the journey because the race course was not the best this year, but they finished, and they did not come in last." Goozen and Rench were supposed to be married this summer. A GoFundMe has been set up to assist Goozen as she plans funeral arrangements for Rench. Kendall leaves behind his wife Gina and 16-year-old son Koen. Sean Kendall's brother has also set up a GoFundMe to care for his son, Koen, who he calls "Sean's greatest pride and joy in life."
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Brothers take on Alaska sled dog racing together
Shondiin MayoICT Brothers Greg and Ricky Taylor have spent the last five months preparing for the 2025 "Open" World Championship Sled Dog Race in Anchorage, Alaska, where Greg finished in third place on Sunday, February 23. The event was a key part of the 90th anniversary festivities for the Fur Rondy, an annual community celebration held in late February and early March. Greg Taylor was one of five Indigenous participants in this year's race, which also featured: Mitchell Jacobson from Tuktoyaktuk, Canada Clyde Mayo Jr. from Fairbanks, Alaska Joe Bifelt from Huslia/Fairbanks, Alaska Jennifer Probert-Erhart from Tok/Fairbanks, Alaska Living in Fairbanks, the Koyukon Athabascan brothers have dedicated their lives to the sport, a passion deeply embedded in their community's culture and inspired by their father's involvement in racing during the 1960s and 1970s. Their father Bill Taylor won the Open North American in 1968, setting a family tradition that endures to this day. Ricky Taylor reflects on his lifelong involvement in dog mushing, which began in his early years with a team of three dogs. A vivid childhood memory is of his mother cheering him on during a race. As he sped past her, he shouted in exhilaration, 'Am I smoking or am I smoking?' to which she responded, 'You better hurry up!' While Ricky no longer participates in races, he continues to train the 83 sled dogs at their family kennel, while Greg competes with them on the track. Their training begins in early October using a four-wheeler rather than starting on snow with a dog sled. By initially covering six miles, they can evaluate the capabilities of their kennel and determine which dogs will participate during the season. "It's a pretty good test," said Ricky. Like athletes in a training program, the sled dogs progressively increase their mileage and build endurance over time. As the dogs progress, both Ricky and Greg observe and handpick their team over the course of training. Ultimately, they look for speed and confidence, especially as they search for a leader, which is a dog at the front of the team. Those two qualities are essential for guiding a dog team through traffic, alongside other teams, while remaining unfazed by the cheering crowd. Comparing it to basketball, Ricky shares, 'You need the Michael Jordan and Larry Bird of dogs to compete.' Unable to train their large number of dogs indoors, their training relies not only on the trails they use but also on the weather conditions. Fairbanks experienced an unusual increase in temperatures in January, reported to be '40 degrees higher than is normally seen at this time of year," according to Alaska's News Source. The combination of daytime heat and nighttime freezing temperatures resulted in hazardous road conditions and some snow melt. The Taylor family trains their dogs directly from their yard into the surrounding neighborhood, which features an airplane strip, a float pond for airplanes, and several gravel pits. However, the rain and overflow from the gravel pits hindered the Taylors' ability to prepare their dogs. 'We just had tough training this year. We're not where we would like to be, but after this race here, we'll catch up,' says Greg. Amidst the extensive training required for the dogs, harsh weather conditions, and the year-round care they need, the Taylors find purpose in this longtime tradition. In short, it's deeper than performing in front of a crowd and receiving a shiny trophy. Greg reflects on his long career and says, 'We raise dogs, and when you raise up some really nice dogs and you do well in the race, that's your reward.' On the training side, Ricky shares that while feeding the dogs, watering them, cleaning up after them, and maintaining warm dog houses, the work is invaluable as he continues his father's legacy alongside his brother. 'It's just as satisfying to see my dogs with him on the runners, doing good,' Ricky says. The Taylors plan to participate in the Open North American in Fairbanks March 14-16, joining teams from around the world competing in the 79th annual race. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICT's free newsletter.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Plane Disappears Near Nome, Alaska With 10 People On Board
We'd hoped the slew of recent plane crashes was just a blip, but sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case. Another plane has gone missing near Nome, Alaska and is believed to have crashed. The plane, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, was flying from Unalakleet to Nome on Thursday afternoon when it presumably went down with 10 people on board, Alaska's News Source reports. The plane, which is owned by Bering Air, took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. local time, and it was last seen on radar at 3:16 p.m. over the Norton Sound, the body of water separating the two cities. Authorities say they believe the plane went down close to the coast, somewhere between Nome and Topkok, and are actively searching the area. 'They're prepared to be out all night, they will search here until they find them or somebody else finds them,' White Mountain fire chief Jack Adams told ANS yesterday. 'If they don't find anything, we'll probably rally another crew to go and help.' Unfortunately for any possible survivors, the sea ice is reportedly 'kind of jumbled' and difficult to navigate, leaving ground crews to use the Iditarod trail instead. If the plane went down over land, or they were somehow able to make it to land, their odds of being found are much higher, although that doesn't mean they actually are high. Some parts of the U.S. are already warming up for spring, but the high near Nome today is in the single digits, and surviving temperatures that cold would be difficult without proper equipment even in the best of conditions. Aircrews have also had to deal with inclement weather and poor visibility frustrating their searches. 'Word is, all the aircraft are grounded, there's zero visibility. Basically, you can't see anything from the air or the ground, and in the dark looking for something in zero visibility is a tough job,' Adams told ANS. Other groups have joined in the search, though, using personal vehicles and snow machines to traverse the rough terrain. Authorities are warning private individuals not to attempt their own search and rescue efforts, though, with a Facebook message to locals saying, 'We ask the public to please think of those who may be missing at this time, but due to weather and safety concerns please do not form individual search parties.' That may be frustrating to hear, but if someone else gets lost or injured out there, not only could they die, but they could also slow down rescue efforts reaching any possible survivors from the plane crash. While hope is fading, the Air Force has offered its support, while the Coast Guard has already deployed a C-130 equipped for search and rescue. If they're out there, fingers crossed they're found soon, because time is definitely running out. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
