Federal officials in Alaska probe 2 plane crashes; 4 dead

Federal investigators say 2 planes crashed more than 600 miles apart in Alaska almost simultaneously, killing a total of four people.

KTUU-TV reports, the National Transportation Safety Board said two died and a third person was injured when their Piper PA-30 went down nine miles southwest of Haines at around 11 am

The injured person was flown by helicopter to Juneau for medical treatment.

Authorities said witnesses reported seeing the twin- engine plane crash shortly after takeoff.

Meanwhile, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reported two people died when a single-engine Arctic Aircraft S-1B2 crashed east of Fairbanks, also at about 11 am.
 

Alaska State Troopers reported late yesterday that both the pilot and passenger died in the crash.