Charter Plane Crashes Near Remote Alaska Radar Site, Killing All 8 on Board

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

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, according to preliminary information.

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 Air Force said the plane was a civilian-contracted flight carrying eight personnel. Search-and-rescue crews later confirmed there were no survivors.

The US Army Corps of Engineers’ Alaska District said it was aware one of its chartered flights crashed and that two USACE employees were among the victims.

The plane went down at Cape Newenham Airport, an Air Force airstrip that provides access to the Long Range Radar Site.

The cause of the crash is not yet known.

It was foggy at the landing strip around the time of the crash, according to observations from the National Weather Service. Just before noon, poor visibility was reported at less than 800 feet.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will lead the investigation and typically takes one to two years to determine the probable cause of a crash.

Only military and approved charter flights are allowed to land at the Cape Newenham facility.

The gravel runway is nearly 4,000 feet long and is located on the slope of a more-than-2,300-foot-high mountain, according to FAA maps. There is high terrain reported on both sides and at the south end of the runway, which can make aborting a landing “improbable” after a certain point.

“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” said US Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis. “These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.”

The names of the passengers and crew will be released after next of kin have been notified.

“Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time,” Davis said. “We are profoundly grateful for the swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed her condolences and thanked the agencies involved in the response.

Security Aviation operates Cessna Conquest aircraft for flights throughout Alaska. The company says its twin-engine, turboprop aircraft are designed for challenging weather and airport environments and can carry up to nine passengers.

The NTSB and FAA investigation into the crash is ongoing.