PenAir flight 3296 from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor has crashed after running off the runway in Dutch Harbor on Thursday. The plane was carrying 39 passengers and three crewmen. Tragically one man, David Oltman of Washington State, has died from injuries suffered in the crash and another was in critical condition. Reports indicate multiple passengers suffered injuries and are receiving medical care. Passengers aboard the plane included a high school swim team from Cordova. All of the swim team is reported to be safe but shaken by the crash.
The plane was a Saab 2000 aircraft. The plane reportedly abandoned one previous landing attempt before a second attempt resulted in the plane skidding off the end of the runway and down an embankment. Weather conditions at the time of the accident were reported to be rain, winds of 24 miles with gust to 31 miles per hour.
The plane was lifted from the crash by a large crane and barge on Saturday. The flight data recorder and voice recorder have been recovered from the plane and are being analyzed. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and has sent a team of investigators to Dutch Harbor to investigate.
The airport in Dutch Harbor serves as the center for access to lucrative Alaska commercial fisheries. The Alaska injury lawyers at JOHNSON BEARD AND TRUEB PC represent commercial fisherman involved in fishing accident and air crashes. JOHNSON BEARD AND TRUEB PC have offices in Anchorage and Seattle and may be contacted for more information about this accident (907-277-0161). We caution that none of the passengers aboard the PenAir flight should sign any releases without first contacting an experienced Alaska injury lawyer to learn about your rights.