Four Seriously Injured in Floatplane Crash at Katmai National Park

On July 5, 2025, a privately operated Cessna 180J float plane crash-landed near Brooks Camp, a popular bear-viewing area within Alaska's Katmai National Park, sending all four occupants, including the pilot, to an Anchorage hospital with non-critical injuries. The cause of the crash remains unknown and is under active investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, with officials seeking witness accounts to construct a timeline of events. Katmai National Park, known for its remote location and large brown bear population, is accessible primarily by small planes, making such incidents particularly concerning for visitors. A rescue helicopter was dispatched from Anchorage to evacuate the injured, highlighting the challenges of emergency response in remote areas. Authorities continue to gather information, urging anyone who witnessed the crash to contact investigators. This incident adds to a recent series of floatplane crashes in the region, underscoring ongoing aviation safety concerns for small aircraft operations in Alaska.