Alaska plane crash leaves 8 dead
A recovery operation is underway in Alaska after a military charter plane carrying eight people went down at a remote radar site, killing all those on board.
Two employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were among the eight people killed this week when the charter aircraft crashed in southwestern Alaska, military officials confirmed Friday.
The twin-engine Cessna 441 encountered fog Thursday while traveling from Anchorage to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the passengers.
Two employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were among the eight people killed this week when a charter plane crashed in southwestern Alaska, the military confirmed Friday. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force, said in a statement shared with News Outlet.
“These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment,” Davis said. “Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time. We are profoundly grateful for the swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”
The Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site is part of a network of remote Alaska radar stations used to monitor aircraft operating in the region.
The military said the families of the employees have been notified and their identities would be released 24 hours after the families found out.
The plane crashed near Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in Alaska. (Google Maps)
“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, wrote in a statement on X. “I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots.”
“I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site,” she continued. “Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”
This photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard on Feb. 7, 2025, shows the Bering Air plane that crashed in western Alaska while traveling to Nome. (U.S. Coast Guard/AP)
Last year, a Bering Air flight bound for Nome crashed off Alaska into sea ice, killing all 10 aboard.
The plane was later found to be more than 1,000 lbs “over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions,” according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
