Fairbanks, Alaska – a Douglas DC-4 plane carrying two individuals crashed in a fiery accident shortly after takeoff on Tuesday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Douglas C-54, a variant of the DC-4, crashed southwest of Fairbanks International Airport around 10 a.m. local time. The plane had departed from the airport just a few minutes before the tragic incident occurred.
Alaska State Troopers reported that the aircraft went down about seven miles south of the airport, sliding into a steep hill by the Tatana River, where it ignited in flames. Unfortunately, no survivors have been located at the crash site as of now. Multiple emergency response agencies were mobilized, urging the public to steer clear of the area as investigations continue.
The specific circumstances surrounding the crash remain unclear, prompting the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board to launch inquiries. A spokesperson from Fairbanks International Airport released a statement addressing the ongoing situation and expressing cooperation with law enforcement personnel following the DC-4 plane’s crash near Kallenberg Road.
Originally designed as a military aircraft in the late 1930s, the Douglas DC-4 has the capacity to accommodate several dozen passengers, as noted by the Aviation Safety Network. The airport’s involvement in the aftermath of the incident underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for thorough examination to determine the causes of the crash.
As authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy, the community mourns the loss and awaits further updates on the fateful accident involving the historic DC-4 aircraft in Fairbanks. Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating incident as investigations into the crash continue.