NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD

NTSB Investigation Into Fatal Plane Crash Reveals Mechanical Problem, Changing Safety Culture

By • Dec 17, 2020
Megan Thomson-Dean

It was a blustery fall day at Tom Madsen Airport. A PenAir flight from Anchorage was making its second attempt to land in Unalaska. Gusting tail-winds made the landing extra challenging. As the plane touched down it failed to slow down, broke through the airport's chain link fence, crossed a road and hit a rocky embankment just short of the frigid waters of Iliuliuk Bay.

Steve Ranney was among the 39 passengers on Flight 3296.  He's a commercial pilot with 20 years experience and still trying to understand what went wrong that day.

'Not Drawing Any Conclusions At This Point:' NTSB Releases Preliminary Report On Medevac Plane Crash

By • Feb 19, 2020
Courtesy of Cole Corbett

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on a medevac airplane that crashed into the waters of Unalaska Bay last month.

While the early findings establish some of the facts surrounding the Jan. 16 crash, the chief of the NTSB's Alaska Regional Office said it's too soon to pinpoint the cause.

City Manager Says Ravn, Alaska Airlines Nearing A Deal That'll Let Unalaskans Use Miles

By • Feb 14, 2020
Laura Kraegel/KUCB

Since RavnAir Group's PenAir plane crash in October, Unalaskans haven't been able to use Alaska Airlines miles to book flights to or from Anchorage.

Now, City Manager Erin Reinders has hope the airlines are nearing a deal that'll let travelers use their stockpiled miles rather than shell out cash or forgo trips.

Ravn Announces Up to 17 Flights Per Week, With Up To 7 Per Day During Fishing Season

By • Nov 26, 2019
Hope McKenney/KUCB

After weeks of uncertainty in the wake of last month's fatal plane crash, RavnAir Group has released flight schedules between Unalaska and Anchorage through May 31, 2020.

NTSB: Pilot In Fatal Crash Wasn't Experienced With Saab 2000, Landed Amid Unfavorable Winds

By NATHANIEL HERZ • Nov 15, 2019
Laura Kraegel/KUCB

The PenAir flight that crashed at Unalaska's airport last month, killing one passenger, landed amid unfavorable, shifting winds, according to an initial federal report released Friday.

It was also captained by a pilot with relatively little experience at the controls of the Saab 2000 plane he was flying, the report said.

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