Alaska Plane Crash
A large cargo plane crashed Sunday in Denali National Park, killing the three people on board, according to the National Park Service.
The plane, a Fairchild C-123, according to reports, was registered to All West Freight Inc. located in Delta Junction, Alaska.
The plane reportedly crashed around 3 p.m. on the south-facing side of Mount Healy. The crash site was in close proximity to the park headquarters and Denali Park Road.
Upon impact, the plane reportedly became engulfed in flames and consequently ignited a fire that spread across an acre, but was contained. According to Park spokeswoman Kris Fister, the first responders arrived on the scene in minutes but the plane was already on fire.
One bystander, George Clare, was reported to have assumed the plane was going to land on an airstrip when he witnessed it traveling on a low and slow course. Minutes later, it crashed nearby, the witness told reporters.
According to reports, Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers and Denali wildland firefighters stayed on the scene of the fire overnight to fight the fire. National Transportation Safety Board investigators were reportedly expected to arrive Monday morning.