The Alaska Air National Guard has rescued two men who survived a small plane crash about 25 miles northeast of Palmer. National Transportation Safety Board investigator Clint Johnson tells the Anchorage Daily News that the Bellanca 8GCBC apparently got caught in a downdraft while flying in a valley and the gust slammed it to the ground. Air Guard Maj. Guy Hayes says his agency was asked to look for the aircraft Monday night after the Federal Aviation Administration determined it was overdue. Air Guard crews following the plane's flight path north from Palmer picked up an emergency locator beacon signal and then found the downed plane shortly after midnight Monday. A Pave Hawk helicopter landed near the wreckage and rescued the two men. They were taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage. Johnson said last night that the pilot had been discharged, but the passenger remained hospitalized with some broken bones.

(Associated Press)