It crashed into the Tanana River in Alaska (Picture: Getty Images/500px)
A plane has crashed into a river in Alaska.
It is not known yet how many people were on board the Douglas DC-4 plane that crashed into the Tanana River but a rescue operation has been launched.
The plane crashed shortly after 10.30am after it departed from Fairbanks International Airport.
A witness nearby said they heard a loud explosion and saw a plane overhead with an engine on fire.
He then heard what sounded like another explosion and a crash, followed by a large column of dark smoke.
The website airlines.net said standard passenger seating for a DC-4 was 44, but most have been converted to freighters.
Troopers said in a statement that people should avoid the Fairbanks area where the crash happened.
John Dougherty, a troopers spokesperson, did not answer questions and instead referred reporters to the brief statement.
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A spokesperson for Fairbanks International Airport added: ‘We acknowledge the ongoing situation involving the Douglas DC-4 aircraft on the Tanana River near Kallenberg Road.
‘Alaska State Troopers are actively leading the response and we are cooperating with them.’
There has been no immediate response from the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.
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