Eight dead as aircraft heading to remote Alaska radar site crashes
A civilian-contracted aircraft crashed near a remote US Air Force radar site in Alaska on Thursday, killing all eight people on board, the US military confirmed.
The plane went down shortly after midday local time (20:00 GMT) near Cape Newenham on Alaska's south-west coast, which hosts the airport for a long-range radar station. The aircraft had departed from Anchorage International Airport and was bound for the site, approximately 450 miles (725 km) to the west by air.
In a statement, Lt Gen Robert Davis, commander of the US Air Force Alaskan Command, described the victims as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.” He added: “This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve. 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.”
Rescuers who reached the crash site confirmed no survivors, the Alaskan Command said. An investigation has been launched, and authorities said the names of the deceased would be released after their next of kin have been notified.
According to Clint Johnson, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region, there were two pilots and six passengers on board. The identities of those killed and the exact purpose of their mission have not been disclosed, though the site is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote installations that monitor aircraft approaching or operating in Alaskan airspace.
The Alaska Radar System is a chain of surveillance stations that provide radar coverage across the vast and rugged state. Cape Newenham, located on a remote peninsula along the Bering Sea, is one such site. The system is operated by the US Air Force with support from civilian contractors, who regularly fly to these isolated locations on rotation and supply runs. For the small teams stationed there, such flights are the only regular connection to the outside world.
Thursday's crash highlights the hazardous conditions inherent to aviation in Alaska, where weather can change rapidly and many landing strips are short and unpaved. The NTSB will lead the investigation, which will examine the aircraft's maintenance history, flight plan, weather conditions at the time of the accident, and the pilots' experience. Investigators will also consider whether mechanical or navigational issues contributed to the crash.
The loss has deeply affected the military community in Alaska, and officials have urged the public to respect the privacy of the victims' families. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks taken by those who sustain America's early-warning and air-defence networks in some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth.
