Charter Plane Crashes Near Remote Site In US' Alaska; All 8 On Board Killed

The aircraft had taken off from Anchorage and is believed to have crashed early Thursday afternoon while approaching Cape Newenham in Alaska.

A charter aircraft crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska on Thursday.

Source : ANI

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Eight people killed in western Alaska aircraft crash.
• Crash happened near remote Cape Newenham radar site.
• Two pilots, six passengers were aboard the plane.
• Military expressed sorrow, supports victims' families and teammates.

Eight people were killed when a charter aircraft crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska on Thursday, the US military said.

The aircraft crashed at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles (725 km) west of Anchorage, the Associated Press reported.

Earlier, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center said it launched a search and rescue operation after receiving a report of an "aircraft incident" near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site.

“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.

 

Radar Site Part Of Alaska Monitoring Network

The Cape Newenham radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center.

According to the statement from Alaskan Command, the site is part of a network of remote radar facilities used to track aircraft operating in Alaska's airspace and along its borders.

The statement did not provide details about the specific work being carried out by those on board. It described the aircraft as a “civilian-contracted aircraft.”

Two Pilots, Six Passengers On Board

Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region chief, said earlier Thursday evening that two pilots and six passengers were on board the aircraft, AP reported.

The plane had departed from Anchorage and was believed to have crashed early Thursday afternoon while approaching Cape Newenham, Johnson said.

Military Offers Support To Families

Davis described those on board as “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,” he said.