Two die in plane crash southeast of McGrath

ANCHORAGE (AP) -- Two men died when their small plane crashed after taking off from a private airstrip southeast of McGrath, Alaska State Troopers said Monday.

Michael L. Grimes, 42, of Chugiak, and George L. Harma, 55, of Wasilla, were in the Super Cub when it went down Sunday. The crash occurred after they took off from the airstrip on the Big River at Lyman Fork.

The plane reportedly burned with both men inside.

Troopers in Bethel were notified of the crash at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

A Fish and Wildlife Protection sergeant from Bethel was flying to the crash scene Monday, troopers spokesman Greg Wilkinson said. Inspectors with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration also were heading there.

Troopers planned to assist in the body recovery, Wilkinson said.

Grimes and Harma were pilots and jointly owned the plane. It was unknown who was flying the plane when it crashed, Wilkinson said.

The bodies will be transported to the state medical examiner's office in Anchorage for autopsies and positive identification, Wilkinson said.