Charter Plane Crash Near Remote Radar Site Kills All Eight In Western Alaska

A charter plane crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska, killing all eight people on board, federal aviation and military officials said.

“killing all 8 people on board”

CNN

The flight, a Cessna 441, departed Anchorage and was headed to Cape Newenham, about 450 miles southwest, when it crashed near its destination around 12:15 p.m. Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration said.

ABC

U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis said, "This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," as search-and-rescue crews confirmed there were no survivors.

Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said two pilots and six passengers were on board the charter flight operated by Security Aviation, according to the Associated Press.

The FAA said the NTSB will lead the investigation, with the FAA assisting, and the cause of the crash is not yet known.

Alaskan Command said the aircraft was a "civilian-contracted aircraft" carrying eight personnel, and it said the crash happened at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport.

Clint Johnson told the Associated Press that "two pilots and six passengers were on board the charter flight," and he said the plane was believed to have crashed early Thursday afternoon on approach to Cape Newenham.

Alaska Public Media

Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed her condolences on X, saying, "I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site."

In a statement, Davis said, "Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time," as the names would be released after next of kin were notified.

The FAA said the NTSB will lead the probe, while the military statement described the radar site as part of a network of remote radar sites that track aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders.

The crash occurred at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, an Air Force airstrip that provides access to the Long Range Radar Site, according to the command and FAA maps.

“Only military and approved charter flights are allowed to land”

CNN

CNN reported that only military and approved charter flights are allowed to land at the Cape Newenham facility, and it described a gravel runway nearly 4,000 feet long on the slope of a more-than-2,300-foot-high mountain.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, with the NTSB leading the investigation, and the FAA assisting, while the cause of the crash is not yet known.

Davis said, "These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment," as the military said the statement did not provide details on the specific work the individuals were doing.

Alaska Public Media reported that personnel from the 212th Rescue Squadron confirmed there were no survivors, and National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Clint Johnson said the NTSB was launching a team to Cape Newenham.