On April 23rd, a Douglas C-54 aircraft crashed into the Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska, shortly after takeoff from Fairbanks International Airport. The plane caught fire and slid into a steep hill. Tragically, both people onboard were killed.
The crash site was located about seven miles south of the airport, and people were advised to stay away. Alaska State Troopers responded to the scene alongside multiple agencies, including the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, the University of Alaska Police, Fairbanks Airport Police and Fire, Fairbanks Police Department, and two volunteer fire departments.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the cause of the crash. The plane crashed “under unknown circumstances,” according to the NTSB. Investigators are expected to document the site, examine the aircraft, and recover it for further evaluation.
The DC-4 is a four-engine aircraft with propellers, designed in the 1930s by the Douglas Aircraft Company. Almost 80 of the planes remain in commercial service, mostly as freighters.
This tragic event is a reminder of the dangers of aviation. In the United States alone, approximately 1,200 plane crashes occurred in 2021, resulting in an average of 3 to 3.5 plane crashes per day. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims.
