The plane -- an Aviat Husky A-1B registered to Wasilla pilot Richard L. Cline -- slammed into steep terrain near Pioneer Peak at about 3,000 feet, said Clint Johnson, a National Transportation Safety Board investigator. Initial reports said the plane crashed at about 2,000 feet.
Cline runs an aerial photography business, according to his website, rcflightsllc.com.
Alaska State Troopers said one of the men called 911 about 9:50 a.m. to report the crash.
The crash site is up the mountain from where the Old Glenn crosses the Knik River, troopers spokeswoman Beth Ipsen said. The area is just south of Butte. The Air National Guard described the area where the plane went down as between Pioneer Peak and Twin Peaks.
The men were able to walk to a clearing, Ipsen said.
An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60 Pavehawk helicopter flew to the men and hovered above as rescuers were hoisted down, said Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes.
"They were shivering pretty bad when we got there because the elements were already working against them," said Sgt. Joe Conroy, a combat rescue officer with the Guard, in an emailed statement.
Conroy and a pararescueman, Staff Sgt. Jason Ruiz, treated the men for head lacerations, Hayes said. One of the men had suffered a possible broken ankle. Both were airlifted off the mountainside and taken to Providence Alaska Medical Center, Hayes said.
Johnson, the NTSB investigator, said he would be talking to the pilot and passenger as soon as they are able.
The cause of the crash is still unknown, Johnson said.
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