On December 7, 2016, a single-engine Piper PA-28 Cherokee carrying 13-year-old Zachary Blom, his father Scott, his sister Kaitlyn, and 25-year-old pilot Kyle Longerbeam departed Port Alsworth, Alaska, bound for Anchorage and never arrived. The family had originally planned to fly commercially, but took the private flight at the last minute; Zachary’s mother took the scheduled commercial flight.

Debris was found the next day floating in Lake Clark, including a seat, three wheels and personal items. Weather in the area featured deteriorating conditions and low-lying freezing fog over the lake. The pilot was not instrument-rated and was required to fly under visual flight rules. The NTSB investigated but, citing lack of main wreckage and limited physical evidence, listed the cause as undetermined. The four on board are presumed deceased but remain officially missing.

Did anyone in Port Alsworth or along the route notice unusual weather or a small aircraft around December 7, 2016?