Three injured in Alaska plane crash

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UPPER KALSKAG, Alaska, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Three people were injured when a small plane crashed and flipped on the ice of the Kuskokwim River near Upper Kalskag, Alaska, police said.

The plane, a Cessna 172, was owned and operated by the Kuspuk School District, and had just taken off from Upper Kalskag airport Tuesday afternoon when the accident occurred, a report from the Alaska State Troopers said.

"Just prior to the time of departure, weather conditions significantly deteriorated. The aircraft was attempting to fly along the river when it crashed onto the ice," the report read.

Pilot Steve Bruckner, 44, was airlifted to a hospital in Anchorage. Passengers Brian Foley, 52, and Roy Guernsey, 55, were taken to a hospital in Bethel, Alaska. Each was reported in stable condition, KTUU-TV, Anchorage, reported.

The National Transportation Safety board is investigating the incident, the Anchorage Daily News said.