This isn't adding up. Appeared to be CAP aircraft. CAP claims no flights were authorized this morning. I can't imagine trying to depart or land Merrill (speculation) at night in this wind storm...

UPDATE: http://www.adn.com/article/20151229/sma ... -anchorage

Following that too. What were the conditions at the time?

METAR PAMR 291553Z 15012G20KT 10SM FEW070 OVC200 09/M03 A2960 RMK AO2 SLP024 T00941028=

METAR PAMR 291453Z 17008G18KT 10SM FEW070 OVC200 09/M03 A2957 RMK AO2 SLP014 T00941028 53017=

According to the article on KTUU:

"The closest weather observation point is Merrill Field airport, where winds were blowing at 9 mph with gusts of 21 mph just before 6 a.m., said National Weather Service meteorologist Rebecca Dulle. Visibility was more than 10 miles, she said."

Not what I expected, but wind would not be my first guess for what caused this, even if the winds were stronger. Hate to speculate though.

obxbushpilot wrote:According to the article on KTUU:

"The closest weather observation point is Merrill Field airport, where winds were blowing at 9 mph with gusts of 21 mph just before 6 a.m., said National Weather Service meteorologist Rebecca Dulle. Visibility was more than 10 miles, she said."

Not what I expected, but wind would not be my first guess for what caused this, even if the winds were stronger. Hate to speculate though.

Wind isn't what I'd guess caused this either. Just commenting that it isn't weather I would want to be flying in. The metar is a bit misleading in that the shoreline/ship creek arrival and departures have you in the vicinity of downtown, which can involve a bit of wind shear. Not to mention the velocity is typically much higher from 50'+ AGL than what's reported on the ground at Merrill.

Defiantly seems odd, given the conditions, that a CAP plane would be cruising around at 6 this morning.

I say I hate to speculate, but I can't help it. I think we're all going to be surprised at the findings in this case. You're right. It doesn't add up. I only hope I'm wrong and it turns out to be a chain of unfortunate events.

obxbushpilot wrote:I say I hate to speculate, but I can't help it. I think we're all going to be surprised at the findings in this case. You're right. It doesn't add up. I only hope I'm wrong and it turns out to be a chain of unfortunate events.

Yeah, I'm with you...

UPDATE: http://www.adn.com/article/20151229/sma ... -anchorage

Looks like the husband was pretty po'd at the wife, and 911'ed her building. Shit, what could she have done to drive him that crazy. Let's see female + lawyer.. Imagine the amped level of power nagging, complete with legal nomenclature. yep that could explain it.

Not saying I don't understand the sentiment but if this was a mini/micro 911 sort of deal this could be awful for all us private pilots...

Mountain Doctor wrote:Not saying I don't understand the sentiment but if this was a mini/micro 911 sort of deal this could be awful for all us private pilots...

Yes. The good news is that he really didnt do much damage to the buildings. I'm betting that CAP is working feverishly on some method to secure their aircraft.

I loved the comment in the media to the effect that the airplane belonged to the Civil Air Patrol......actually, it belonged to the taxpayers....CAP was just using it.

MTV

Mountain Doctor wrote:Not saying I don't understand the sentiment but if this was a mini/micro 911 sort of deal this could be awful for all us private pilots...

There has already been a mini-911 and the repercussions were essentially non-existent. So hopefully this will be the same.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Aust ... ide_attack

Seems like there was a crash a few years ago, in Texas maybe, when a guy flew into the local IRS headquarters or similar? Also another one when the pilot flew into the ex wife's house. I think it'll be realized that this is just an isolated "wack job" event, just like those were.

hotrod180 wrote:Seems like there was a crash a few years ago, in Texas maybe, when a guy flew into the local IRS headquarters or similar? Also another one when the pilot flew into the ex wife's house. I think it'll be realized that this is just an isolated "wack job" event, just like those were.

IRS one is linked in my note above.