In a devastating incident, a plane carrying two pilots crashed and caught fire outside Fairbanks, Alaska, resulting in the loss of both lives, debris scattered across a wide area, and a widespread search and recovery effort. The tragedy unfolded on Tuesday when one of the pilots reported a fire on board shortly after takeoff. Clint Johnson, the head of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska regional office, confirmed that the pilot made radio contact about the in-flight emergency but tragically lost contact while attempting to return to Fairbanks International Airport.

The aircraft crashed approximately 7 miles outside of Fairbanks, hitting a steep hill and sliding down an embankment before coming to a fiery halt near the bank of the Tanana River. Despite the efforts of Alaska State Troopers and first responders, no survivors were found at the scene. Their recovery efforts have been impeded by the thin ice and open water on the river, making the task challenging, and are set to resume with the aid of cadaver dogs.

The identities of the pilots have not yet been released, but troopers have confirmed that partial remains have been recovered from the crash site. These remains will be sent to the State Medical Examiner's Office in Anchorage for further identification and assessment.

The ill-fated plane departed Fairbanks carrying a significant amount of fuel, with 3,200 gallons of heating oil on board. Its destination was Kobuk, an Inupiat village located approximately 300 miles northwest of Fairbanks, with a population of less than 200 people. The difficulties and expenses associated with delivering fuel to remote Alaskan villages are well-known, given the state's limited road system. According to the Northwest Arctic Borough, heating fuel in Kobuk cost an alarming $15.45 per gallon in 2022.

Eyewitness accounts from nearby residents paint a chilling picture of the crash. Mike Emers, who was at his office at Rosie Creek Farm, the only outdoor cannabis farm in Alaska, heard an explosion and witnessed the aircraft ablaze. Emers immediately reported the incident to the troopers' dispatch line after being unable to connect with 911. Along with his son and a neighbor, he reached the crash site, observing massive flames and widespread debris. Emers fearfully battled the fire to prevent it from spreading while waiting for first responders to arrive.

Another witness, Gary Contento, heard two loud explosions and saw a burning object on the river ice from his deck. He described the flames as resembling an engine and witnessed a significant fireball erupt shortly afterward.

The plane involved in the crash was identified as a C54D-DC Skymaster, a military version of the Douglas DC-4 aircraft. This iconic World War II-era plane played a crucial role in the Berlin Airlift of 1948, delivering vital supplies to Allied-controlled parts of the city amidst a Soviet blockade. The ill-fated aircraft was built in Chicago around 1942, serving the U.S. Army Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and the Royal Air Force before changing ownership multiple times. Alaska Air Fuel assumed ownership in 2013, and the plane underwent refurbishment between 2018 and 2020.

The National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched three investigators to the crash scene to determine the cause of this tragic accident. As the investigation proceeds, the thoughts and condolences of the wider community are with the families and loved ones of the pilots who lost their lives in this devastating plane crash in Alaska.