Pilot reported fire on fuel-laden plane and tried to return to airport before deadly Alaska crash

By MARK THIESSEN
Associated Press

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal aviation official says one of the two pilots of an airplane that was laden with fuel reported a fire on board shortly before the aircraft crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, Alaska. Clint Johnson is head of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska division. He says the pilot made radio contact Tuesday about the in-fight emergency shortly after taking off. They were attempting to return to Fairbanks International Airport when they lost contact. The plane crashed about 7 miles outside Fairbanks. It hit a steep hill, slid down an embankment to the Tanana River and burst into flames. Alaska State Troopers say no survivors were found.