Alaska plane crash leaves 8 dead
In a tragic aviation incident in Alaska, a military-chartered aircraft has crashed at a secluded radar location, resulting in the loss of all eight individuals on board. Recovery efforts are currently in progress.
Among the victims were two employees from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as verified by military sources on Friday following the devastating event earlier this week in southwestern Alaska.
The ill-fated flight involved a Cessna 441, a twin-engine plane that encountered dense fog on its route from Anchorage to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, leading to the crash on Thursday.
The identities of the deceased passengers have not yet been disclosed, pending formal notifications.
This tragic crash included two members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, among the eight fatalities confirmed by military authorities on 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 Media.
He continued, “These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment. 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.”
Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site is one of several remote radar sites that track aircraft operating around Alaska.
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).