Alaska plane crash kills 8 on US Army Corps charter near remote radar site

A chartered Cessna 441 carrying eight people crashed near Cape Newenham in western Alaska. The tragedy has triggered a federal investigation and renewed focus on hazardous operations to remote radar sites.

In Short

• The Cessna 441 crashed near Cape Newenham after departing Anchorage
• Two pilots and six passengers were aboard the civilian-contracted flight
• Investigators from the NTSB and FAA have opened a crash probe

All eight people on board a small plane chartered by the US Army Corps of Engineers were killed after it crashed near a remote aircraft-tracking radar site in western Alaska, the US military said. The twin-engine Cessna 441 was headed to Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport after taking off from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The crash happened on Thursday near its destination, about 725 kilometres west of Anchorage. Authorities said two pilots and six passengers were on board, while the National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA have begun an investigation.

Clint Johnson, the NTSB's Alaska region chief, said no names were immediately released. Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, a military facility in Anchorage, said two US Army Corps of Engineers employees were among the passengers. The military statement described the aircraft as a civilian-contracted plane.

"This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," said US Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defence Command Region and Eleventh Air Force. He said those on board were "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment" and added, "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 airport is a private military site, and the radar station is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Centre. According to Alaskan Command, it is part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska's airspace and along its borders. The statement did not give details of the work being carried out by those on board. The crash happened in foggy weather, according to information compiled by a service that is part of the Flight Safety Foundation, a nonprofit body.

US Senator Lisa Murkowski said in an online post that the flight was operated by Anchorage-based charter company Security Aviation. An email was sent to the company on Friday morning seeking comment. Murkowski wrote, "I join Alaskans in offering condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham." She added, "I've travelled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots. I appreciate the US Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Centre for responding to the site. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation."

In 1950, a continental defence radar station was built at Cape Newenham as part of the Distant Early Warning Line to warn of a Soviet attack during the Cold War, according to Coastview, a science education nonprofit focused on the Alaska coast. Little remains of that station today. The latest crash has left eight people dead, with investigators now examining what caused the aircraft to go down near the remote radar site.

With PTI Inputs

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