Plane crash near Denali Park HQ starts wildland fire

A plane crash near Denali Park Headquarters yesterday  started a wildland fire close to the Park Road.

The plane was a Fairchild C-123 registered to All West Freight of Delta Junction.  The plane crashed into the south facing slope of Mt. Healy about one mile from Denali Park headquarters, just 200 yards from the Park Road.  The  crash engulfed the plane in flames. Personnel arrived on the scene immediately but there was no way to get close enough to the plane to save anyone on board.  All three occupants are presumed dead. Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers arrived on the scene and were able to contain the wildland fire to one acre.

There is currently a flight restriction over the area.  National Safety Transportation Board investigators will be at the accident site today.  Identities of the three people on board are being withheld until notification of the next of kin.

The Park Road IS open to traffic but the two trails that are closest to the crash are temporarily closed.

KTNA will have more on this story later today and on tomorrow mornings newscast.