ANCHORAGE, Alaska, 22 August – A charter plane crashed near a remote military radar station in western Alaska on Thursday, killing all eight people aboard, authorities said.
The accident occurred shortly after noon at the airport serving the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Station, about 725 kilometers (450 miles) west of Anchorage. The aircraft had departed from Anchorage and was attempting to land when it crashed.
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the plane was carrying six passengers and two pilots. The aircraft was identified as a Cessna 441 operated by Anchorage-based charter company Security Aviation.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed condolences following the crash, saying she had traveled extensively across Alaska aboard Security Aviation aircraft and had met many of the company’s experienced pilots.
Several agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers and the Rescue Coordination Center, responded to the crash and rescue operation.
Lieutenant General Robert Davis, commander of the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command region and the Eleventh Air Force, said the passengers were dedicated professionals carrying out important missions in a challenging environment.
“This is a heartbreaking loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” Davis said.
The radar station monitors aircraft operating in Alaskan airspace and is operated and overseen by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. Authorities had not immediately provided details about the specific duties of those aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash.
The NTSB is expected to investigate the cause of the accident.
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