Pilot killed in Alaska crash wasn't authorized to fly plane

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The pilot of a small plane that smashed into a building in downtown Anchorage on Tuesday was not authorized to fly the aircraft used in volunteer search-and-rescue missions, authorities said.

The plane belongs to the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force that is made up of volunteers who help with search and rescue, disaster relief and homeland security across the country, according to a statement from the national group.

The early morning crash happened before most businesses opened for the day in the heart of downtown, an area surrounded by offices, hotels and restaurants.

The first building hit houses a law firm, Dorsey & Whitney, where the pilot's wife, Katherine Demarest, is employed as an attorney, said Bryn Vaaler, an attorney and chief marketing officer based at the firm's Minneapolis headquarters.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walker was among those checking out the scene Tuesday.

Because one of the buildings houses state workers, Walker said he wanted to "find out what's going on."