At least two dead after planes collide in Alaska. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (PANC), Anchorage, Alaska.

Updated 6:35 p.m.: Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said that crews had been able to access the scene, and at least two --and possibly three -- passengers in the crashed plane appeared to be dead at the site.

Here's the troopers' statement:

Two planes collided with each other at approximately 2:14 p.m. One of the planes crashed into the ground and became engulfed in flames after impact. The other plane was able to maintain flight and return to Anchorage where it performed an emergency landing at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Then Anchorage Airport Police and Fire Department when staged at the runway with a crash response team. After the floatplane was on the ground it was confirmed that the pilot was the sole person on board and was uninjured, however, the float plane sustained significant damage.

Troopers responded to the scene of the downed airplane near Amber Lake. The remains of 2 people, and possibly a third, were seen in the wreckage. The State Medical Examiner's Office is responding the scene to help extract the remains.

The cause and circumstances surrounding the crash are under investigation. The NTSB and the FAA have been notified of the crash and are responding to the scene.

Amber lake is located at the end of Oil Well road which is off of Petersville Road in the Trapper Creek area.

(Original story) The Associated Press (via the Washington Post) reported Saturday afternoon that two planes had collided in the air above Trapper Creek, causing one to crash. According to KTUU, the other plane, a single-engine Cessna that sustained damage to a float, managed to return to Anchorage after circling the crash site --and resulting fire -- of the other plane involved in the collision. The Washington Post said that the crashed plane was a Cessna 180, and there was no word yet on the passengers of that crash. KTUU also reported that the crash site was accessible by road, but crews trying to approach the crash were held back by ammunition popping off in the fire at the scene.

At least two people are dead following a mid-air plane collision this afternoon near Amber Lake in the Trapper Creek area. Two planes collided with each other at approximately 2:14 p.m. One of the planes crashed into the ground and became engulfed in flames after impact. The other plane was able to maintain flight and return to Anchorage where it performed an emergency landing at the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. Then Anchorage Airport Police and Fire Department when staged at the runway with a crash response team. After the floatplane was on the ground it was confirmed that the pilot was the sole person on board and was uninjured, however, the float plane sustained significant damage.

Source:  http://www.alaskadispatch.com