by B. N. Sullivan
A Fairchild C-123 Provider operated by All West Freight has crashed and burned in Alaska's Denali National Park. According to a statement from the National Park Service, the accident happened on August 1, 2010 at about 3 PM local time. The aircraft impacted terrain on "the south-facing slope of Mount Healy within a mile of the park headquarters and approximately 200 yards north of the Denali Park Road." The aircraft was destroyed, and the three crew members on board are believed to have perished.
The Anchorage Daily News reports: "There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in effect over the crash site until further notice. Pilots using the park airstrip or transiting the Windy Pass area are cautioned to check Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and be alert for firefighting and official aircraft."
A team of investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to arrive at the scene within hours.
UPDATE Aug. 2, 2010: The FAA's preliminary record of this accident confirms three fatalities, and identifies the aircraft as N709RR.
Condolences to the families and friends of those who died in this accident.
RELATED: Click here for more information about the historic aircraft (with photos).
