JUNEAU, Alaska — A plane believed to be carrying eight people crashed in southwest Alaska and rescue crews are trying to reach the wreckage early today, authorities said.

Alaska National Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes said there are possible fatalities.

A National Transportation Safety Board investigative team has been dispatched from Washington, D.C., and was expected to be there this morning.

Hayes said the Guard was called to the area about 20 miles north of Dillingham about 7 p.m. Monday after a passing aircraft saw the downed plane. But severe weather has hampered search and rescue efforts.

Hayes said about five good Samaritans were on scene early today helping the crash victims. He said he was told by Alaska State Troopers that there were "eight or nine" people on board, though a spokeswoman for the troopers, Megan Peters, refused to comment.

The National Weather Service reported rain and fog at Dillingham, with low clouds and limited visibility early today.