A tragic incident unfolded in Alaska on Tuesday when a Douglas DC-4 aircraft crashed and burst into flames, claiming the lives of two individuals.
The plane departed from Fairbanks International Airport but tragically crashed 7 miles south into the Tanana River, according to Alaska State Troopers.
Reports indicate that the aircraft caught fire after sliding into a steep hill along the riverbank.
The crash was reported at 10:03 a.m., and regrettably, no survivors have been located.
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Michaela Matherne, a witness flying from Galena to Fairbanks, captured a photo of the crash site at 10:08 a.m. “We were just a few minutes from landing in Fairbanks when I saw the smoke and flames. It was right on the river,” she shared.
The Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft as a Douglas C-54, while troopers referred to it as a DC-4, a military aircraft notably used during World War II.
These planes typically accommodated a flight crew of three and up to 44 passengers, with some models capable of seating as many as 86 individuals.
Many of these aircraft have since been converted for freight use, according to Airliners.net.
