Alaska Man Monday: Plane Crashes, Armed Teachers, and Real Estate

The other day, the oddest thing happened. I went outside, and parts of the sky were a strange color, sort of a pale blue, and there was this big, bright thing up there. Not sure what was going on, but I think it triggered some ancient memories.

With the warming weather, more people are starting up spring and summer activities. Out and about, we’re seeing more ATVs, no more snow machines; I’ve had my own ATVs out, but haven’t gone too far afield yet. Soon.

Now, as for this week’s Alaska news: First up, we have the sad story of an airplane crash on the Knik glacier.

Alaska State Troopers responded to a report of a plane crash near the Knik Glacier on the evening of May 5, 2026. A small aircraft crashed on a remote airstrip where a group of pilots had gathered. Off-duty medical personnel who were already in the area immediately began providing aid and reported the aircraft was on fire upon impact. LifeMed was notified and launched shortly after the crash. The pilot was transported to a local hospital. Witness statements were collected, and the investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.

As of this writing, the pilot is said to be injured but alive. Let’s hope it stays that way.

Alaska is all about civil aviation. The Great Land wouldn’t be what it is without those little bush planes hopping from landing strip to sandbar to meadow, but the downside it, sometimes things like this happen.

Alaska Man score: No score. We’ll wait to see how it turns out.

Now, this is interesting: Our own Matanuska-Susitna Borough is considering allowing teachers to carry handguns.

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District is scheduled to consider a proposal that would pay teachers, staff and contractors to carry handguns at schools in the borough.
The move, billed as a security measure, would be the first of its kind by a school district in Alaska.
Current state law forbids anyone from carrying a concealed firearm on school grounds without the permission of a district’s chief administrative officer.
Board Policy 3515, as the concept is formally known, would set up a formalized policy for the Mat-Su school district’s superintendent to grant that permission. It is scheduled for initial discussion Wednesday evening. No vote is expected.

School shootings aren’t a thing here the way they are in some parts of the country. But this is a good idea nonetheless. When you need a gun, you need it right away, and when you need a gun, nothing else will do. As long as the teachers own the gun legally, they 1) won’t be a problem and 2) have that constitutional right to carry. Alaska is a constitutional carry state, and while property owners have the right to prohibit concealed sidearms (not many do, up here) the schools have traditionally been off-limits. That may be changing.

Alaska Man score: Five concealed-carry rigs. Even in rural Alaska, this isn’t a bad idea.

Thinking about moving north? I have some hints for you. Also, someone, the other day, asked how I prepare for these Monday videos, and the honest answer is, I don’t. I normally have a topic in mind, then I go in front of the camera and wing it. What you’re seeing is just unfiltered, unscripted me.

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