WATCH: Douglas C-54 plane crashes near river in Fairbanks, Alaska
By Ivan Pereira, Bonnie Mclean, Clara McMichael & Jennifer Watts
A Douglas C-54 aircraft transporting fuel crashed into a frozen river shortly after takeoff Tuesday in Fairbanks, Alaska, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
Two people were on board the plane, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, which is also investigating the incident.
Michaela Matherne
The Alaska State Troopers and local, state, and federal partners are responding to a plane crash on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 23, 2024.
Mike Emers
The Alaska State Troopers and local, state, and federal partners are responding to a plane crash on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 23, 2024.
Preliminary information showed that the Part 91 fuel transport flight operated by Alaska Air Fuel crashed into the Tanana River after taking off from Fairbanks International Airport around 10 a.m. local time, officials said.
MORE: Police searching for ex-cop who allegedly killed ex-wife, girlfriend; abducted 1-year-old in Washington
"The aircraft slid into a steep hill on the bank of the river where it caught fire. No survivors have been located," the Alaska Department of Public Safety said in a statement shortly before 2 p.m. local time.
DPS Alaska
The Alaska State Troopers and local, state, and federal partners are responding to a plane crash on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 23, 2024.
Mike Emers
The Alaska State Troopers and local, state, and federal partners are responding to a plane crash on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 23, 2024.
The NTSB deployed agents to the scene of the crash and will recover the plane, the agency said.
Mike Emers
The Alaska State Troopers and local, state, and federal partners are responding to a plane crash on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road in Fairbanks, Alaska, April 23, 2024.
The airport said in a statement that it is cooperating with the investigation.