Just before 8:30 am on Wednesday morning, Fire and Police Departments in Anchorage were notified and responded to a fatal aircraft crash that occurred on Merrill Field in the heart of Anchorage.

One person is confirmed dead in the crash that occurred as the aircraft, a 1947 Piper PA-12,  was departing the airport. Killed in the crash was the pilot and only occupant in the plane. The pilot’s name has yet to be released as next of kin need to be notified.

It is reported by a witness at the scene that the aircraft took off from the strip at a steep angle, attained a height of approximately 100 feet, at which time, it nosed over and crashed.

Police, Firefighters and the National Transportation Safety Board are on scene and assessing the the situation there. The departments arrived on scene within minutes of the reported crash.

All runways at the facility have been shut down as a result of the crash and its investigation and will not be reopened until the wreckage can be transported to a safe location for further scrutiny, and the investigation at the field can be completed.

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