On a quiet Monday afternoon near Nanwalek, tragedy fell from the sky. A routine commuter flight, operated by Smokey Bay Air, ended in heartbreak when the Cessna 207 carrying mail, a teaching artist, and a beloved community pilot crashed while attempting a go-around. The loss of 37-year-old Jenny Irene Miller and 48-year-old Daniel Bunker sent ripples through communities from Homer to Anchorage—and beyond. A third passenger was seriously injured and medevaced to Anchorage.

Jenny Miller, a gifted artist and advocate, was en route to inspire young minds as part of the Sea Week celebration. Daniel Bunker, the pilot, was known for his warmth and steady hand—someone who made nervous passengers feel at ease. Neither survived. The NTSB has reported the crash followed what they called a “loss of control consistent with a stall.” Witnesses say the pilot was trying to avoid a dog on the short, 850-foot runway—a startling detail that raises urgent questions.

In rural Alaska, we understand the critical role that air carriers play in our lives. But even essential services must be held to the highest standards of safety and responsibility. Federal aviation law mandates that operators of regularly scheduled "Part 135" flights meet strict safety protocols—particularly when servicing airports with known hazards like short runways or wildlife activity. When tragedy results from lapses in those duties, grieving families are left not only with loss—but with unanswered questions. While the official investigation continues, the families of Jenny Miller and the injured passenger deserve clarity. They deserve accountability. And if appropriate, they deserve justice.

Our legal team has years of experience handling aviation and transportation-related negligence. We know the investigative process. We understand how to get answers. And we know how to hold even well-regarded companies accountable when preventable mistakes take a life or shatter a body. If your family has been impacted by this crash, we offer our deepest condolences. And we offer our help. Not just to file a lawsuit—but to investigate, to uncover the truth, and to help your loved ones be honored with more than words.

When the unthinkable happens, we’re here to help you think about what comes next.

— Eric Derleth, Trial Lawyer, Inc.
“Friend-in-Law”® to Alaska’s grieving and injured