A charter plane carrying eight people crashed near a remote radar site in Alaska on Thursday, killing all on board, the U.S. military said.
The crash happened near Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, approximately 725 kilometres west of Anchorage, Alaska, according to The Associated Press.
The plane, a Cessna 411, had taken off from the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was headed to Cape Newenham, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
Two pilots and six passengers had been on board, according to Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) Alaska region chief.
The names of those on board will be released 24 hours after their next-of-kin are notified.
“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 to The Associated Press.
The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Centre. It’s part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, according to the Alaskan Command.
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The statement referred to the plane involved in the crash as a “civilian-contracted aircraft.”
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.”
In a statement to Global News, the NTSB said that it has “opened an investigation into Thursday’s crash of a Cessna 441 airplane operated by Security Aviation as an air taxi flight from Anchorage to Cape Newenham, Alaska. The plane crashed into mountainous terrain near Newenham.”
“Five NTSB investigators are traveling to the accident site. After the wreckage is documented, it will be recovered and moved to a secure facility for further examination,” the NTSB added. “NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.”
The NTSB will gather the information and records on the flight track data, recordings of any air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records, weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident and the pilot’s licence, ratings and recent flight experience.
The NTSB will also investigate the 72-hour background of the pilot to determine if there were any issues that could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate the flight and collect witness statements, as well as electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation and any available surveillance video, including doorbell cameras.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Alaska District told Global News that it is “aware that a USACE-chartered flight crashed in Western Alaska on its way to Cape Newenham, Alaska.”
“We have received confirmation that the two USACE employees onboard were fatalities. Next of kin have been notified. We are coordinating closely with the appropriate local, state, and federal authorities,” the statement added.
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska took to X following the crash, revealing that the flight was operated by Security Aviation, an Anchorage-based charter company.
“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” Murkowski wrote. “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. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation,” she added.
Global News has reached out to Security Aviation for further comment, but has not received a response.
—With files from The Associated Press
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