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James Harbin Missing Person Case

Last seen in Lake Clark, Alaska on Sep 13, 1976

Victim Details

Jun 11, 2015

May 22, 2024

James

Harbin

87

38

73 inches

150 lbs

225 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Sep 13, 1976

Lake Clark

Alaska

Lake and Peninsula Borough

No

31599

Alaska State Troopers

Anchorage

Alaska

Anchorage Borough

99507

Malia Miller

Missing Persons Clearinghouse Manager

5700 East Tudor Road, Alaska

9072695511

State

Law Enforcement

D76-2069

1976-09-13

Alaska State Troopers

Gray or Partially Gray

Blue

Blue

09/07/2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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In the vast and unforgiving wilderness of Alaska, the story of 38-year-old Dr. James Edward Harbin unfolded in September of 1976. He and a friend, Harold Lyle, had flown into the remote southern part of the Alaskan Peninsula for a hunting trip. Their adventure took a perilous turn when the tail wheel of their single-engine red and white Citabria aircraft, with tail number N5VB, was damaged. Faced with a critical decision, Harbin resolved to fly the plane alone back to Iliamna for repairs, leavin ...
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Last Seen: Sep 13, 1976

Links to Additional Sources (2)

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  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Tragedy in the Alaskan outback | Archives | meridianstar.com

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    Forum Posts (2)

    Has anyone else been thinking about the type of survival skills Harold demonstrated during his ordea... ...Read More
    05/18/2024
    Hey everyone, I’ve been thinking a lot about Harold's decision to move the caribou meat away from ... ...Read More
    11/09/2023
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