Eight killed in charter plane crash at remote Alaskan radar site
A civilian-contracted Cessna 441 crashed west of Cape Newenham LRRS Airport, killing all eight people on board. Alaskan Command is investigating the incident at the remote facility.
Eight people were killed when a civilian-contracted charter plane crashed at a remote radar site in western Alaska on Thursday. The incident occurred at approximately 20:15 GMT, according to a Federal Aviation Administration spokesperson.
The aircraft, a Cessna 441 operated by Anchorage-based air charter company Security Aviation, crashed west of Cape Newenham LRRS Airport. The site is a military radar facility used to track aircraft operating in Alaskan airspace.
Rescuers who landed near the crash site confirmed there were no survivors, according to a statement from Alaskan Command. The National Transportation Safety Board reported that two pilots and six passengers were on board the plane.
Alaskan Command chief Robert Davis described the deceased as "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment." He noted that the crash represented a "devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve."
The specific reason the individuals were at the radar site was not immediately clear, as the command did not specify their duties beyond the general description of a vital mission. Alaskan Command is currently investigating the incident.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been released. A spokesperson stated that names would be made public after the families of the victims had been informed.
