5 people killed in midair plane crash in Alaska, officials say

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Alaska State Troopers say all those on board two small planes died in a midair collision in the western part of the state.

Troopers did not say how many people were in the two aircraft, but the Alaska National Guard said earlier that there were a total of five on board the planes.

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.