Press Release #4 - PenAir incident at Unalaska Airport

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Marjie Veeder
Public Information Officer
City of Unalaska
(907) 581-1251 – telephone
[email protected]

PENAIR INCIDENT AT UNALASKA AIRPORT – Press Release #4

Unalaska, Alaska, October 18, 2019, 5:00 p.m.

A single lane of Ballyhoo Road is open for small passenger vehicles. Pedestrian traffic is restricted to authorized persons only. No commercial traffic is allowed at this time. East Point Road remains closed from Biorka Drive to the airport three-way intersection, near the Powerhouse. 

Fuel has been removed from the aircraft. Fuel leaking into the water was contained and removed using absorbent fuel booms. Personal belongings and luggage were also removed from the aircraft and airport personnel are working to return luggage to passengers.

Plans are being formulated to remove the aircraft from the scene, which is scheduled for Saturday October 19. A crane and sling are in place to stabilize the aircraft. Once the aircraft is removed from the roadway and tideland area, vehicle and truck traffic will resume and the runway is expected to be reopened. State Department of Transportation personnel determined the runway was not damaged in the incident.

A Ravn Air flight was given special permission to land at Unalaska’s airport today, delivering an NTSB investigator, a State Department of Transportation Supervisor, a manager from Alaska Airlines along with an Alaska Air “CARE” Team for airline employees, and several representatives of Ravn Air/PenAir. Cordova swim team athletes, coaches and chaperones departed for Anchorage on the return flight.

Local shippers have a plan to receive inbound freight, including groceries and supplies, for delivery within the community over the weekend.

The City Manager has been in communication with Alaska Airlines about their plans to clear the backlog of passengers traveling to and from Unalaska/Dutch Harbor, as well as the airline’s future plans to provide air service to Unalaska. We understand the importance of air travel for this island community and will work to provide the most accurate and timely information.

Updated information will be provided as it becomes available. Thank you for your continued support and patience.

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