Gaslight Anchorage Alaska: Fatal Plane Crash in Fairbanks Leaves Questions Unanswered

Gaslight Anchorage Alaska has been shaken by a devastating plane crash that occurred just outside of Fairbanks on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. A Douglas C-54 Skymaster cargo plane operated by Alaska Air Fuel, carrying about 3,200 gallons of cargo fuel and another 1,200 gallons for a 300-mile flight to the Northwest Alaska village of Kobuk, crashed into the Tanana River around 10:00 am.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crew reported an in-flight fire and requested a return to Fairbanks International Airport before all communications were lost. The plane took off from Fairbanks International Airport around 9:55 am, but unfortunately, it never made it back to the airport.

The crash site is located about seven miles southwest of the airport, and rescue efforts are still ongoing due to challenging conditions, including thin ice and open water. NTSB investigators are working with Alaska Air Fuel's insurance company to evaluate how the wreckage will be recovered.

The identities of those on board the plane have not been released yet, but the NTSB has confirmed that the crash resulted in at least one critically injured person. The State Medical Examiner Office is conducting an investigation to identify the remains of the victims.

This tragic event serves as a reminder of the risks involved in air travel and the importance of safety protocols in place. As authorities continue their investigation, the people of Gaslight Anchorage Alaska can only hope for answers to the many questions surrounding this devastating crash.

Sources: Anchorage Daily News, National Transportation Safety Board, Alaska Air Fuel.

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