In the wake of a tragic charter plane crash in remote western Alaska, the community mourns the loss of 23-year-old Air Force officer 2nd Lt. Leah R. Borsich. Described as a “positive leader” with a strong sense of purpose, Borsich was among eight victims in the heartbreaking accident last week.
The Air Force officially named 2nd Lt. Borsich on Monday as one of those lost in the crash near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, approximately 450 miles from Anchorage. As a dedicated project programmer with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, her roles and responsibilities left a significant mark.
“Lt. Borsich was a beacon of positivity and leadership, infusing great energy and enthusiasm into our command,” stated Col. Timothy Meerstein, who heads the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, reflecting on her impactful presence.
The Air Force identified 2nd Lt. Leah R. Borsich on Monday as one of the victims of the Aug. 20 crash near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport. (Facebook/ Leah Borsich)
Meerstein added, “Her leadership was marked by professionalism, compassion, and a sense of duty, fortifying the connections among her peers. Borsich left an indelible mark on our team, and her unwavering commitment and service to our nation will always be remembered with gratitude.”
The Cessna 441 was carrying two pilots and six passengers when it crashed west of Cape Newenham at about 12:15 p.m. Thursday. All eight people aboard were killed.
The charter plane had taken off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was headed to Cape Newenham when it crashed during its second approach to the gravel runway in heavy fog, according to federal officials.
The pilots could not see the runway and were flying by instruments, Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said Friday. They aborted their first landing attempt because of poor visibility before crashing on the second approach.
An observation system near the airport reported fog and visibility of about 10 miles shortly before the crash. About 15 minutes later, visibility had fallen to less than a quarter-mile, according to the National Weather Service.
Search teams later found fragmented wreckage from the twin-engine plane, also known as a Cessna Conquest.
NTSB investigators document the accident site Aug. 23, 2026, of the Cessna 441 airplane that crashed near Cape Newenham, Alaska, on Aug. 20, 2026. (NTSB via AP)
The Air Force said an Army member, contractors and crew members with Anchorage-based airplane charter company Security Aviation were also among those killed.
“We also mourn the loss of our Army and contractor teammates and extend our deepest appreciation to the Security Aviation aircrew, whose professionalism and dedication are vital to our mission,” Meerstein said. “Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Security Aviation, which operated the flight, said it was “heartbroken” by the crash.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those who were lost,” the company said in a statement posted to Facebook. “We extend our deepest condolences to them and to everyone affected by this devastating tragedy.”
Security Aviation thanked the military, Alaska Rescue Coordination Center and search-and-recovery teams that responded after the crash. The company said it is cooperating with the investigation and would not speculate about the cause.
“Our focus at this time is on those who are grieving and on supporting our employees and others affected by this tremendous loss,” the company said.
In addition to the pilots, those aboard included two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees and four contractors. Two of the contractors worked for Calista Brice, which provides construction, engineering, logistics and other services in remote areas.
The Army Corps said its employees were part of a “project delivery team en route to a project site in support of the U.S. Air Force.” Officials have not said what work the group was traveling to perform.
Cape Newenham is part of a network of remote radar sites that monitors aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders. The site, built in the 1950s as part of an early-warning network against a potential Soviet attack, now monitors the skies off Alaska’s coast in the direction of Russia, North Korea and China.
Borsich’s name was released after her family had been notified. The Alaska State Troopers will release the names of the victims who were not affiliated with the Department of War, the Air Force said.
Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees were among the eight who were killed this week when a charter plane crashed in southwestern Alaska, the military confirmed Friday. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, who leads Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force, previously described those aboard as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.”
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” Davis said after the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.