Authorities say a plane believed to be carrying eight people has crashed in southwest Alaska. The Anchorage Daily News quotes the Alaska National Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes as saying the Guard was called to the area about 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Dillingham at about 7 p.m. Monday after a passing aircraft saw the wreckage. Hayes reportedly says there are possible fatalities. State and federal officials say severe weather has hampered the rescue operation. Hayes says about five good Samaritans were on scene early Tuesday helping the crash victims. The Federal Aviation Administration says the aircraft is a 1957 DeHavilland DHC-3 Otter registered to Anchorage-based communications company GCI.
