A helicopter crew flying near Knik Glacier has found what may be debris from a military airplane that crashed years ago, according to military officials.

Alaska Army National Guardsmen were on a training flight on Sunday in a UH-60 Blackhawk when they noticed the debris field about 1 p.m. They flew back to look closer and confirmed that what they'd seen was an old plane, possibly vintage, which likely crashed several years ago.

At the site were what appeared to be bone fragments, but further testing will be needed to confirm that, Capt. Tania Bryan with the Alaskan Command said Thursday. The plane looked military, based on material found in the debris, Bryan said. The plane and its occupants have so far not been identified, she said.

Teams returned to the area Wednesday to take detailed photographs, Bryan said. They sent the pictures to the Joint Prisoners of War, Missing in Action Accounting Command in Hawaii, that will analyze them and decide whether to send a team of its own to the scene, Byan said.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction for the area.

Reach Casey Grove at casey.grove@adn.com or 257-4589.