Cargo Plane Crash Near Fairbanks, Alaska Kills 2

A large cargo plane crashed southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska on April 24, 2024, killing both people on board. The Douglas C-54 plane, operated by Alaska Air Fuel, crashed along the Tanana River shortly after taking off from Fairbanks International Airport around 10 AM.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions and seeing the plane burst into flames before crashing. "I saw the plane coming down and it was already on fire," said nearby resident Mike Emers, who provided security camera footage showing the plane's final moments. "It hit the hill on the riverbank and just exploded."

The crash site was on uninhabited property owned by the Binkley family, about 7 miles from the airport. The plane slid into a steep hill along the river where it caught fire, making recovery efforts challenging due to thin ice and open water in the area. Firefighters and state forestry crews worked to contain the fire and secure the scene.

Authorities have not yet identified the two victims. The remains were sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office for identification. The plane was carrying about 3,200 gallons of cargo fuel and another 1,200 gallons for its 300-mile flight to the Northwest Alaska village of Kobuk when it crashed.

The crew had reported an in-flight fire shortly after takeoff and requested to return to Fairbanks for an emergency landing, but all communications were lost before the crash. The cause of the fire and crash is still under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which had three investigators at the scene.

Why this matters: The crash of the C-54, an aircraft rarely used today that dates back to World War II, highlights the challenges and risks of operating older planes to deliver essential supplies in remote Alaska. The tragedy also underscores the ongoing need for robust aviation safety measures and emergency response capabilities in the state's vast and rugged terrain.

Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Department of Public Safety responded to the crash site but have not provided further details. The C-54 Skymaster, the military version of the DC-4 airliner, was commonly used during the Berlin Airlift in the late 1940s but very few remain in service. The plane that crashed was owned by Alaska Air Fuel and had been rebuilt between 2018 and 2020.

Key Takeaways

• Cargo plane crashed in Alaska, killing 2 on board, after reporting in-flight fire.
• Plane was an older Douglas C-54 model, rarely used today, operated by Alaska Air Fuel.
• Crash site was on uninhabited property, making recovery efforts challenging due to terrain.
• Cause of fire and crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.
• Incident highlights risks of operating older planes for essential supply deliveries in remote Alaska.