Alaska Leaders Urge Immediate Review of Weather Technology and Airspace Management Following Tragic Nome Crash

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – Alaska’s congressional leaders raised important issues about weather technology and airspace safety during a recent U.S. Department of Transportation press event. This discussion came shortly after a tragic plane crash near Nome that took the lives of all 10 passengers on board.

Sen. Dan Sullivan mentioned the FAA’s plans to review congested airspaces, especially in areas like Anchorage, known for its heavy air traffic.

Joining him were Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Rep. Nick Begich, who met with Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy to talk with reporters in Washington, D.C.

Murkowski highlighted a significant problem: many Alaska pilots rely on updates from people on the ground because 51 out of 150 Automated Weather Observing Systems (AWOS) in the state are down. “We need to do better for Alaskans,” she said, emphasizing the importance of reliable weather tools and broadband access for safe flying.

Alaska’s tough landscape, from mountains and glaciers to forests and tundra, makes flying tricky. Moreover, weather can change quickly, creating big differences just miles apart.

New Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy pledged to improve weather information for Alaskans. “Good weather data is essential for safety,” he stated. He stressed the need for accurate resources to help pilots make informed decisions.

When asked about potential budget cuts, Sullivan reassured that aviation safety isn’t considered wasteful spending. He pointed to past legislation that increased funding for air traffic controllers and AWOS systems, stating, “Bipartisan support shows our commitment to safety.”

Regarding the recent crash, Homendy confirmed that the NTSB is investigating and will look closely at the wreckage. Although specific numbers fluctuate, she noted that Alaska has seen fewer crashes recently, with incidents dropping from 13.54 per 100,000 flight hours in 2020 to 9.05 in 2023.

The unfortunate flight was a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan from Unalakleet to Nome, taking off at 2:37 p.m. on February 6. The plane last reported its location at 3:16 p.m. over Norton Sound before it was confirmed down the next day, with no survivors.

Investigators have recovered the wreckage, now stored at Nome Airport, where they will sort through it for further analysis. Despite being equipped with an Emergency Locator Transmitter, the plane did not send a distress signal.

The investigation could take a year to complete, and details about the nine passengers and the pilot have been released. Their identities include:

• Chad Antill, 34, of Nome (pilot)
• Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla
• Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome
• Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla
• Kameron Hartvigson, 41, of Anchorage
• Rhone Baumgartner, 46, of Anchorage
• Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River
• Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage
• Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet
• Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet

The Alaska Department of Public Safety reported that the bodies were transported to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and then to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.

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