A small commuter plane carrying four people landed short of the runway at Merrill Field Airport Friday afternoon, but no injuries were reported, the National Transportation Safety Board confirmed.
The Beechcraft King Air, flying from Soldotna Municipal Airport to Anchorage, was carrying two pilots and two passengers when it landed just short of runway 16, the NTSB spokesperson said. The aircraft’s nose gear collapsed during the landing, causing it to slide onto the runway surface.
The plane is registered to an address in Soldotna associated with the Missionary Aviation Repair Center, a nonprofit organization that supports aviation operations in remote areas. Representatives said the flight was transporting staff members to Anchorage for a connecting flight.
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The incident occurred on a day of wintry weather conditions across Southcentral Alaska, with warming temperatures contributing to icy surfaces.
Investigators from the NTSB are expected to review the incident, and officials reminded travelers to rely on official updates as the situation develops.
