JUNEAU, AK — A Chugiak air taxi owner and his passenger were killed when a small plane went down shortly after departing a remote moose camp in Western Alaska, according to Alaska State Troopers and federal aviation officials.
The victims were identified as 34-year-old Nicholas Peters of Eagle River and 50-year-old John “Jack” Ervin of Missouri. Troopers said their next of kin have been notified. Peters owned and operated Nick’s Air Service, which is based at Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The crash happened Tuesday, and the National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation.
Troopers received the crash report at 12:21 p.m. Tuesday
Alaska State Troopers said they received a report of the crash at 12:21 p.m. on Sept. 15. The aircraft involved was a Cessna 185 Skywagon, which went down after leaving a moose camp near Aniak.
The Department of Public Safety said the plane crashed in Western Alaska shortly after takeoff. Federal aviation officials placed the site about 30 miles southeast of Aniak, near the Stoney River.
Officials said the aircraft came down in a forested area. The location and terrain made the recovery effort more complicated for responders.
Poor weather kept responders from reaching the wreckage right away
Troopers were not able to fly to the wreckage immediately because of poor weather, according to authorities. That delayed the first look at the crash site and the condition of the aircraft.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was notified of the fatal accident and planned to investigate. Investigators hoped a break in the weather would let them reach the site later in the day.
At this stage, officials have not determined what caused the plane to crash. No additional details about the flight path or final moments have been released.
Nick’s Air Service operated from Birchwood Airport in Chugiak
Peters was the owner and operator of Nick’s Air Service, an air taxi company tied to Birchwood Airport in Chugiak, according to the FAA. The company was operating in a part of Alaska where small aircraft are a routine and necessary form of transportation.
The Cessna 185 is one of the most commonly used single-engine aircraft in Bush Alaska, where planes often connect remote camps and communities that are not accessible by road.
That makes the aircraft a familiar workhorse in the region, even as investigators work to understand what went wrong in this case.
The crash adds to scrutiny of small aircraft safety in remote Alaska
Federal investigators are expected to examine the wreckage, weather conditions and any other available evidence once they can reach the site. Their findings will help determine whether mechanical trouble, weather or another factor played a role.
For now, officials are focused on recovery and evidence collection. The fatal crash underscores the risks that come with flying in Alaska’s remote terrain, where changing weather and limited access can complicate rescue and investigation efforts.
Authorities have not released a timeline for when the investigation will be completed.
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