Eight Killed When Charter Plane Crashes at Alaska Radar Site
A Cessna 441 chartered by a civilian contractor crashed while approaching Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in Alaska, killing all eight occupants.
A chartered Cessna 441 aircraft crashed at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles west of Anchorage, at approximately 12:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, killing the two pilots and six passengers on board, U.S. military officials said.
The flight had departed from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was en route to the remote radar installation, which is part of a network that monitors aircraft in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders. The aircraft was described by the Federal Aviation Administration as a civilian-contracted plane.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, said the crash was a “devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve.” He added that the priority was to support the victims’ families and praised the response of search and recovery teams.
Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski posted on social media that the flight was operated by Security Aviation, an Anchorage-based charter company, and expressed condolences to those affected. Security Aviation did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Search and rescue teams reached the crash site shortly after the incident and confirmed there were no survivors. The names of the deceased will be released after next of kin are notified, according to military statements.