Details Of The Crash Itself Are Plentiful, But Conjecture On What Took Place To Cause The Crash Is Sparse

Numerous reports have been published about the Cessna 172 that crashed in downtown Anchorage, Alaska on December 29. The Cessna 172 descended into a business district of Anchorage and swiped a six-story office building before crashing in to another building. Fire consumed the accident site immediately after the crash.

The crash occurred in the early morning hours and few people were in the vicinity. The pilot was fatally injured, but no injuries from any person on the ground have been reported.

According to the Alaska Dispatch, the plane was owned by the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and the pilot was reportedly a Lieutenant in the CAP by the name of Doug Demarest. This report indicated that Demarest was a licensed pilot but a CAP spokesman indicated that he was not authorized to operate the aircraft. However, in this report the CAP is quoted as saying they wouldn’t say whether the plane was stolen.

In an ABC News report it’s stated that the pilot’s wife is an attorney, and that she works in the building that was first struck by the Cessna. Reports from other people indicate that the weather was very windy, but nothing has yet been linked to weather as being a possible contributor to the accident.

Also unusual for a small airplane accident is for the FBI to get involved. It can be surmised that because a building was struck, the possibility of some sort of terrorism act has been considered. It was reported by the Alaska Dispatch that an FBI spokesperson said officials didn’t believe the crash was an act of terrorism.

The Federal Aviation Administration, NTSB and FBI are investigating.

(Image is a YouTube screen grab from Alaska Dispatch video)

FMI: www.ntsb.org