Two people died and another two were seriously injured when two small planes collided midair over an airstrip in Fairbanks, said Alaska State Troopers.
Troopers were alerted of the accident just before 2 p.m. Thursday.
Troopers say a Piper Supercub flown by 73-year-old Larry Dalrymple collided with a Cessna 185 flown by 52-year-old Shane Bennett. Both pilots were from Fairbanks, troopers said.
“After the collision both aircraft crashed into the ground on the gravel runway. The Cessna 185 burst into flames on impact,” troopers said in an online report.
Troopers say the planes crashed onto a gravel runway next to the Chena Marina Floatpond.
Bennett and passenger Cody Rosania, 35, of Buckeye, Arizona, were killed in the crash.
A second passenger in the Cessna, 40-year-old Rayne Rush, also of Buckeye, Arizona, was extricated from the burning wreckage and taken to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Dalrymple, the other pilot, was seriously injured in the crash and taken to the hospital, troopers said.
Dan Bross contributed to reporting
Lex Treinen is covering the state Legislature for Alaska Public Media. Reach him at ltreinen@gmail.com.
