Two people confirmed to be on board Douglas DC-4 plane that crashed into river near Fairbanks, Alaska

The model of airplane was first manufactured during World War II

Two people confirmed to be on board Douglas DC-4 plane that crashed into river near Fairbanks, Alaska, and burst into flames (AP)

An aeroplane carrying two passengers crashed into icy waters and burst into flames near Fairbanks, Alaska, shortly after taking off on Tuesday morning, authorities have said.

The plane, a Douglas DC-4, smashed into the Tanana River near to the Fairbanks International Airport at around 10.40am local time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told The Independent. No survivors have been found.

According to Alaska State Troopers, the plane crashed about seven mils from the airport and then “slid into a steep hill on the bank of the river where it caught fire. Pictures shared with The Associated Press showed a flaming wreckage, with a tall plume of smoke rising into the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which will lead investigations into the incident, said the plane was being operated by Alaska Air Fuel as a Part 91 fuel transport flight. It crashed on the river under unknown circumstances.

“NTSB investigators are en route to the scene and expected to arrive shortly,” a spokesperson told The Independent. “Once on scene, they will begin the process of documenting the site and examining the aircraft. Once that work is complete, the aircraft will be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

Pictures showed a flaming wreckage, with a tall plume of smoke rising into the area, near to the Tanana River (AP)

The conditions of the two individuals on board were not made immediately clear, though AP reported there being no survivors. The NTSB added that it has no role in the release of the identities of accident victims and/or the extent and number of injuries.

The organisation also does not release the identities of those injured or killed in such incidents. That is handled by local authorities, the NTSB said.

The website www.airlines.net said standard passenger seating for a DC-4 was 44 during its heyday, but most have now been converted to freighters.

The plane model was first commissioned during World War II, with numerous aircraft used during the Berlin Airlift of 1948 to 1949. There are very few left in service, though Alaska Air Fuel reportedly operates two of the aircraft out of Palmer, Alaska.

The plane, a Douglas DC-4, was carrying two people when it crashed on Tuesday morning, shortly after taking off from Fairbanks International Airport (AP)

A spokesperson for Alaska Air Fuel previously confirmed to The Independent that the company operated the aircraft, but said they were unaware of a crash.

Alaska State Troopers said in a statement that people should avoid the area of the crash though a spokesperson, did not provide further information.

NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. As part of this process, investigators will gather information including aircraft maintenance records, weather forecasts, pilot background checks and any available surveillance video, among other records.

Any witnesses to the accident or those who have surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation are asked to contact the NTSB online.

During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB “does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident”, a spokesperson told The Indpendent.