Alaska

A pilot may have been trying to avoid loose dog on runway before fatal plane crash in Alaska, NTSB says

Published

1 week ago

May 7, 2025

A pilot may have been trying to avoid loose dog on runway before fatal plane crash in Alaska, NTSB says

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – Investigators believe the pilot involved in a deadly plane crash in Alaska may have been avoiding a loose dog on the runway.

On April 28, a Cessna 207 was carrying three people when it went down in the afternoon, killing the 48-year-old pilot and Homer resident Daniel Bunker and 37-year-old Anchorage resident Jenny Irene Miller. A third person was taken to a hospital with “serious” injuries, according to state troopers.

Witnesses interviewed about the deadly plane crash reported a loose dog was spotted on the runway as the Cessna was making its approach from Homer to the Nanwalek airstrip, according to Clint Johnson, Chief of the Alaska regional office of the National Transportation Safety Board.

“What we understand now is that there may have been an animal, namely a dog, that was on the runway,” Johnson said. “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 the plane may have experienced an aerodynamic stall, which is different than an engine stall, which led to the loss of control and ultimately the crash.

Bunker was piloting the plane with Miller and an unidentified man onboard.

While Johnson said the plane likely stalled, he cautioned that the investigation is just getting started.

“We don’t want to draw any conclusions at this point,” Johnson 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 and is close to the water, which means investigators will work to remove it as soon as possible.

“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.

Johnson said investigators are working with the operator, Smokey Bay Air, and its insurance company to coordinate the recovery of the wreckage.

He said investigators continue to interview witnesses and ask anyone who has witnessed the crash but has not been contacted by the NTSB to submit a statement at online..

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Alaska

9 Best Airbnbs in Anchorage, Alaska—From Cozy Cabins to Modern Lofts

Published

10 hours ago

May 15, 2025

Press Room

9 Best Airbnbs in Anchorage, Alaska—From Cozy Cabins to Modern Lofts

Anchorage is one of those rare cities where wild and urban live side by side. One minute, you’re passing a moose on a bike path, the next, you’re ordering a smoked salmon bagel and pour-over coffee downtown. And though Alaska’s largest city is shaped by its scale—vast landscapes, dramatic seasons—what surprises most visitors is how livable it feels. And that’s reflected in Anchorage’s best Airbnbs.

Whether you want to be downtown near the galleries, bakeries, and reindeer hot dog stands, or tucked into the mountains with views of the Cook Inlet on clear days, there’s a vacation rental in Anchorage for every type of traveler. Though I now split my time between Alaska and Colorado, I spent eight years living in Anchorage full-time—long enough to know which neighborhoods catch the best sunset light and where the trails start just beyond the backyard fence.

No matter the season, these are the Anchorage Airbnbs that make you feel like a local, even if it’s just for the weekend.

While we have not stayed in every Airbnb featured, unless otherwise stated, these listings are vetted based on Superhost status, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.

Our top picks:

FAQ

When is the best time to visit Anchorage, Alaska?

The best time to visit Anchorage depends on what kind of Alaska you’re after. Summer (mid-June through early September) offers long days, mild temperatures, and access to hiking trails, wildlife tours, and salmon runs—it’s peak season for a reason. But winter has its own magic: snow-dusted spruce trees, northern lights overhead, fewer crowds, and a festive atmosphere around events like the Fur Rendezvous and the Iditarod.

What is the best area of Anchorage to stay in?

The best place to stay in Anchorage depends on your itinerary. For walkable access to restaurants, galleries, and the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, downtown is your go-to—compact, central, and full of character. If you’re after trailheads, parks, and mountain views, head to the Hillside or Southside neighborhoods, where cabins and modern homes back right up to Chugach State Park.

How many days do you need in Anchorage?

Anchorage isn’t one of those cities you “do” in a day, and though many travelers treat it like a stopover, I’d argue you’ll want at least two to three full days to really experience the city. That gives you time to explore Anchorage’s vibrant Indigenous art scene, bike or hike the local trails, take a day trip to nearby glaciers, and sample the local food—from king crab legs to reindeer sausage. Extend to five days so you can add in hikes in Chugach State Park, wildlife sightings in the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, or a scenic train ride down Turnagain Arm.

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Alaska

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets visit AKNS studio

Published

1 day ago

May 15, 2025

Press Room

Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets visit AKNS studio

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska Military Youth Academy cadets recently visited the Alaska’s News Source newsroom to learn more about careers in media.

Daylin Alston, 17, said he was surprised to see how many moving parts are involved in building a newscast.

“I learned about how news stations work, how they operate, all the buttons, all the cameras. I didn’t know it was this big,” he explained. “It’s a big process.”

Cadets had the opportunity to visit with on-air talent and get a closer look at what happens behind the scenes.

“At first, I just thought you had to be able to talk in front of a camera and all that stuff,” 16-year-old Qmia Taala said. “I feel like maybe if I wanted to be working in this kind of industry that I would have more of a chance because I could work somewhere in the background with helping out.”

These AMYA cadets are looking forward to their upcoming graduation ceremony on June 12.

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Alaska

Historians highlight Alaska’s historic properties during National Historic Preservation Month

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2025

Press Room

Historians highlight Alaska’s historic properties during National Historic Preservation Month

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – May is National Historic Preservation Month, and historians across Alaska are asking for increased awareness of Alaska’s historic buildings.

According to Historic Preservation Architect Sam Combs, the art of historic preservation is important, not only for the significance of protecting local history, but it also draws tourists to the city.

“You come to a city not to see the new shiny skyscrapers and buildings, you come to see the history of the town,” Combs said.

One example Combs points to is the Oscar Anderson House near downtown Anchorage.

“This was reputedly the first frame house in Anchorage; there have been log cabins and other structures, but this was the first frame house,” Combs explained.

The property has been perfectly captured in time; there are period-appropriate items spread throughout the house for visitors to see, and the wallpaper has been renovated to be the original that was there when the house was first built.

“I took home layers of wallpaper and then put them in our bathtubs, separated them, and that’s how we determined which was the earliest wallpaper and freezes around the building,” Combs said, explaining the process he used to nail down the earliest wallpaper in the home.

There have been some upgrades to the home, but none that directly interfere with the effort to preserve the building in time.

“This floor was like a trampoline, it had, I think, 2×4’s spanning 17 feet, so it was a little bouncy, so we reinforced that,” Combs explained. “This fireplace was totally dismayed, demolished because it had been damaged in an earthquake earlier, and so I did restoration drawings from photographs.”

The biggest change to the property is the location itself.

“It was originally across the road here where those that apartment building is right now, and then it got moved because they wanted to build out there,” Combs said.

Because it is National Historic Preservation Month, Combs says there is an easy way for you to get involved in preserving Alaska’s great history.

“If you’ve got a historic house in town, let us know, we can help out. We do, you know, grant small amounts of grants to help with planning and to preserve the building or structure,” Combs said.

If you don’t have a historic property, then Combs suggested the next best way you can support historic preservation is by visiting historic properties around the state.

If you have a historic property, you can reach out to the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation through its website.

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