ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
The pilot had made radio contact about the in-fight emergency shortly after taking off Tuesday, said Clint Johnson, head of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska regional office. They were attempting to return to Fairbanks International Airport when they lost contact, he said.
The plane crashed about 7 miles (11 kilometers) outside Fairbanks, hitting a steep hill and sliding down an embankment to the bank of the Tanana River, bursting into flames. Alaska State Troopers say no survivors were found.
Troopers said recovery efforts would resume Wednesday with the aid of dogs, but noted thin ice and open water on the river were making their efforts difficult. The pilots’ names have not been released.
Poland's prosecutor general says previous government used spyware against hundreds of people
John Sterling honored by Yankees for 36 seasons and 5,631 games as radio voice
David Pryor, former Arkansas governor, senator, dies at 89
For them the war really is over! WW2 prisoner
A rabbi serving 30 years to life in his wife's contract killing has died, prison officials say
Pakistani province issues flood alert and warns of heavy loss of life due to glacial melting
Blinken begins key China visit as tensions rise over new US foreign aid bill
Sarah Nurse scores in OT to lift Toronto over Montreal 3
Two Premier League stars, both 19, arrested in a rape probe are 'suspended by their club'
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump hush money trial dies