Daniel Bunker dies in fatal Nanwalek plane crash

Daniel Bunker dies in fatal Nanwalek plane crash

Fatal Nanwalek plane crash death of Daniel Bunker – Obituary

Daniel Bunker, 48, of Homer, lost his life in a deadly airplane crash near Nanwalek, south of Homer, Alaska, on Monday afternoon.

The crash also claimed the life of Jenny Miller, 37, of Anchorage, and left a third passenger hospitalized with serious injuries.

According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the small Cessna 207 operated by Smokey Bay Air crashed around 2 p.m. during a commercial flight from Homer.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that all three individuals onboard were accounted for: Bunker, who was piloting the plane, Miller, and an unidentified injured passenger.

Preliminary findings suggest the pilot might have swerved to avoid a dog on the runway at Nanwalek prior to the crash. Authorities from the Department of Public Safety and NTSB responded quickly to the accident site.

Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy issued a statement offering condolences, expressing heartbreak over the tragic loss and support for the victims’ families and the injured survivor.

The aircraft was on a regularly scheduled part 135 flight and was registered to Smokey Bay Air. Investigations are ongoing as officials work to determine the full circumstances surrounding the crash.