Dog on Runway Linked to Alaska Plane Crash, NTSB Says

A Cessna 207 plane crash near Nanwalek, Alaska, resulted in the deaths of pilot Daniel Bunker, 48, and passenger Jenny Miller, 37, while a third male passenger suffered serious injuries. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) report that a loose dog on the runway may have caused the pilot to initiate a 'go-around' maneuver, aborting the landing and attempting a steep climb to avoid the animal. During this maneuver, the aircraft likely entered an aerodynamic stall and lost control, ultimately crashing into water at the end of the runway. The incident occurred on April 28, and the NTSB emphasizes that the investigation is still in its early stages, with a thorough examination of the wreckage and other factors underway. Witnesses confirmed the presence of the dog on the runway, and authorities are seeking further information from anyone who observed the crash. The crash highlights the unique hazards pilots face in rural Alaska, where animals on runways are a known but rarely catastrophic risk.