Big Lake crash kills 1

BIG LAKE — An Anchorage attorney was killed and his passenger seriously injured during an emergency landing near the Big Lake Airport shortly after take off.

Alaska State Troopers say their preliminary investigation found that pilot Christopher Cyphers, 50, experienced engine trouble in the single-engine 1958 Piper Comanche on take off, and was attempting an emergency landing, when he struck trees, which caused him to crash on Hughes Homestead Road.

Cyphers died in the crash.

The crash was reported at 2:25 a.m., Aug. 10.

Troopers spokesperson Megan Peters identified the passenger as Jennifer Roggenbuck, 47, also of Anchorage. Troopers said she was flown by LifeMed helicopter to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. No update on her condition was available at press time.

National Transportation Safety Board Air Safety Investigator Brice Banning led the on-scene investigation into the crash. He said no official determination has been made as to the cause of the reported engine failure that preceded the crash.

Witnesses told NTSB investigators the 1958 Piper Comanche’s engine was making a popping noise on take off, Banning said.

“We have witness reports that the engine made a loud popping noise, so we’re running those down,” he said. “We have not reached a conclusion yet.”

The on-site portion of the investigation concluded Monday, then the plane was expected to be transported to a secure facility where the investigation will continue with the aid of investigators with the engine and airplane manufacturers will examine the wreckage of the in a controlled environment, according to Banning.

A preliminary report on the crash will be available within seven days of the wreck with a full report likely available within a year, Banning said.

“As an accident investigator, we look at the man, we look at the environment and we look at the machine,” he said.

The Alaska Bar Association lists Cyphers as an attorney with Anchorage firm Frontier Law. A man who answered the phone there said employees would not comment on the crash.

Reporter Brian O’Connor contributed to this story.