Troopers say no survivors in Alaska midair crash

Alaska State Troopers say all five people aboard two small planes died in a midair collision in the western part of the state.

Troopers say the crash occurred northwest of the village of Russian Mission. Troopers say responders at the scene have confirmed there were no survivors on either of the planes.

Alaska National Guard officials say the collision occurred just before 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Officials say the planes involved in the crash are a Hageland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan carrying three people and a Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures Piper PA-18 super cub with two people aboard. Representatives of Hageland, which is operated by Ravn, Alaska, did not immediately respond with comment. A Renfro employee said the company was not immediately releasing information.

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1:05 p.m.

Searchers are responding to a midair collision of two small commercial airplanes carrying a total of five people in western Alaska.

Alaska National Guard officials say the collision occurred 60 miles north of Bethel just before 11 a.m. Wednesday. There’s no immediate word on casualties.

Officials say the planes involved in the crash are a Hageland Aviation Cessna 208 Caravan carrying three people and a Renfro’s Alaskan Adventures Piper PA-18 super cub with two people aboard.

A Guard helicopter with medics on board left Bethel around noon to head to the crash site.

Alaska State Troopers also are involved in the response.