A Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft, carrying two passengers, tragically crashed into the icy waters of an Alaskan river shortly after takeoff from Fairbanks International Airport. The plane, which authorities confirmed left no survivors, slid into a steep hill on the riverbank, igniting into a fiery blaze. The Alaska State Troopers, who are leading the investigation, have yet to locate any survivors from the crash.
The fire from the crash quickly spread to the nearby tree line along the Tanana River, burning for several hours and casting a thick black cloud of smoke over the surrounding fields. The crash occurred a mere eight minutes into the flight, leaving investigators puzzled about the events that transpired between takeoff and the devastating accident. A tower operator reportedly spotted a large plume of smoke, which alerted authorities to the incident.
The exact destination of the ill-fated flight remains a mystery. However, the Federal Aviation Administration identified the aircraft model as a military version of the Douglas DC-4, known as the Douglas C-54. This aircraft, which played a pivotal role in the Berlin Airlift between 1948 and 1949, was originally used during World War II. Today, it is considered a rare model, with only two Douglas C-54s operated by Alaska Air Fuel.
As the National Transportation Safety Board initiates an investigation into the crash, many questions about the cause of the tragedy remain unanswered. The wreckage is located approximately seven miles from Fairbanks International Airport, allowing authorities to concentrate their efforts in a relatively confined area. Further updates will be provided as the investigation unfolds.