All Topics

• Weather a Likely Cause of Fatal Air Crash

  Jane Schneider | August 10, 2007 12:19 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Bad weather was a likely part of the equation that crashed a Taquan Air Beaver with a pilot and four passengers on board July 24, north of Ketchikan. All died of their injuries sustained in the crash into a box canyon. Two other planes turned around after seeing the weather on the other side of "the cut"...a small pass in the area. In the last five years 33 people have died in 14 commercial...

• Plane Crashes Into Sitka Home

  Jane Schneider | August 08, 2007 12:11 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Early afternoon Monday, a Piper 46 with engine trouble crashed into a Sitka home. A fire erupted from the crash as people rushed to the scene. The cause of the crash is not known nor is the fate of possible occupants of the house and plane. Sitka police and fire units are investigating. Fatalities are likely.For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Airlines,...

• Southeast Air Crash Kills Five

  Mike Schneider | August 03, 2007 12:14 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  A Taquan Air de Havilland Beaver crashed into mountains around Rudyerd Bay near Ketchikan Tuesday, July 24. The pilot and two couples who were cruise ship passengers died of their injuries. The pilot was highly trained and experienced, having flown commercially for 25 years. 28 people have died in Alaska in 13 crashes in the last 5 years.The crash is under investigation. Mechanical failure,...

• Young Driver Causes Brain Damage: Leaves Scene

  Mike Schneider | July 23, 2007 12:05 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  A sixteen-year-old driver with no more than a learner's permit tried to enter the Seward Highway from Brayton drive. Other drivers tried to avoid him. The crash that followed left a young woman with brain damage. The young driver left the scene but was later located. The law required that those driving on a learner's permit be in the company of an adult licensed driver. The sixteen-year-old...

• The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007

  Mike Schneider | July 16, 2007 12:18 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 would keep companies from making consumers give up their right to a trial by jury by forcing mandatory binding arbitration. Many consumer contracts, like are offered on a take-it-or-leave-it basis by EBay, lending institutions, brokerage firms, car dealerships, and health care providers take away your rights in the fine print. Consumers should support this...

• Critical Injury Caused by Crash With Moose

  Mike Schneider | July 13, 2007 12:16 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  A Cadillac crashed with a moose near Trapper Creek last week. The roof was peeled back and trapped the passenger, and Anchorage woman, until first responders could free her. She was critically injured. Auto manufacturers have been sued successfully for failing to design cars to withstand such crashes. Whether it is moose in Alaska or cattle in the Western US, vehicle occupants need...

• Motorcycle Crash Kills Driver

  Mike Schneider | July 11, 2007 12:57 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  An Anchorage man died July 7, 2007, when the motorcycle he was driving, a Harley Davidson, crashed head-on into a motor home driven by an Arizona tourist. The fatal crash happened on the Glenn Highway. The motorcyclist crossed the double yellow line to end his life and do $10,00 damage to the motor home.For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Car and Motorcycle...

• Police Chase Seriously Injures Innocent Driver

  Mike Schneider | July 09, 2007 12:04 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  July 6, 2007, Anchorage Police pursued Chris Collins at high speed. Collins finally caused a crash that made him Anchorage's 14th traffic death in 2007. Matthew Scott of Anchorage was struck by Collins at high speed. Scott suffered brain damage and internal injuries. It is not know if he will recover from his serious injuries or traumatic brain injury. Most police departments in the US...

• Fewer Serious Injury and Death Crashes on Seward Highway

  Mike Schneider | July 06, 2007 4:23 PM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  In his recent newsletter to constituents, Rep. Mike Hawker , R-Anchorage, cited statistics showing a dramatic decline in serious injury and death crashes on the Seward Highway, South of Anchorage. But the pressure is still on to strictly enforce the speed limit and rein in bad drivers. Aircraft are now helping AST with enforcement.For more information on this subject, please refer to our...

• Former Ak Airlines CEO Dies in Plane Crash

  Mike Schneider | July 04, 2007 12:46 AM | 0 CommentsAnchorage, AK

  Former Alaskan, and former Alaska Airlines CEO, Bruce Kennedy was fatally injured June 28th, when the Cessna 182 he was flying crashed into the Cashmere, Washington High School parking lot. Kennedy not only made Alaska Airlines a major player in the aviation industry, but became internationally recognized for his humanitarian efforts after he left his CEO position in 1981. He was 68. He...