Charter Plane Crash Near Cape Newenham Radar Site Kills Eight
A civilian-contracted charter aircraft crashed while approaching a remote radar installation in western Alaska, killing all eight occupants.
A charter aircraft carrying eight people crashed on approach to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday, the U.S. military said. The flight, which had departed Anchorage, was believed to have gone down early in the afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region chief identified two pilots and six passengers among those on board.
The radar site, managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, is part of a network that monitors aircraft in Alaska's airspace and along its borders. The statement from Alaskan Command did not specify the passengers' duties, referring only to the aircraft as a civilian-contracted plane.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, expressed condolences, saying the victims were "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment" and emphasized the military's priority to support their families.
"Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates," Davis said.
Search and recovery teams were dispatched promptly, according to the statement.