A Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft crashed into the Tanana River near Fairbanks, Alaska, on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Alaska State Troopers. The aircraft was carrying two individuals, and their condition remains unknown at this time.
The C-54 is a military modification of the Douglas DC-4, an aircraft that served extensively during World War II. According to the website www.airlines.net, the DC-4 had a standard passenger seating capacity of 44 during its operational prime, although most have since been converted to serve as cargo carriers.
Troopers initially identified the crashed aircraft as a DC-4. In a subsequent statement, they advised the public to avoid the crash site. Trooper spokesperson John Dougherty declined to provide additional information, directing inquiries to the brief statement issued earlier.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has yet to respond to queries. The NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will collaborate on the crash investigation, with the NTSB assuming the lead role.
