Eight people are dead after a chartered plane carrying U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees crashed Thursday afternoon in remote southwestern Alaska, according to federal officials.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the Cessna aircraft went down at 12:15 p.m. near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site airport, a facility managed by the Air Force. The plane had departed Anchorage and was bound for Cape Newenham, the site of the radar tracking station, when it crashed.
No cause has been released, and the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
Alaska Air National Guard rescuers reached the scene and confirmed there were no survivors, according to Alaskan Command.
“Guardian Angel personnel from the 212th Rescue Squadron confirmed there were no survivors,” the command said in a statement. “The names of the passengers and crew will be released 24 hours after notification of next of kin.”
The flight was operated by Security Aviation, a charter company based in Anchorage, and carried six passengers and two pilots. Two of the passengers were members of the Army Corps of Engineers, which had chartered the flight.
“We have received confirmation that the two [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] employees onboard were fatalities,” the Corps said in a statement. “Next of kin have been notified. We are coordinating closely with the appropriate local, state, and federal authorities.”
The crash drew swift expressions of grief and support from military leadership and Alaska’s political figures.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, who leads the command overseeing the region, called the loss devastating for the military family and the communities served.
“These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment,” Davis said. “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.”
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) also offered condolences, noting that she has traveled extensively with Security Aviation in Alaska and praised the experience of its pilots.
“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” Murkowski said. “I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”
The crash site is near Cape Newenham, an isolated stretch of the Alaskan coast along the Bering Sea. The Long Range Radar Site there is part of a network of radar stations used for surveillance and defense, often operated in austere, remote conditions that require frequent flights for personnel and supplies.
The remote location has complicated recovery efforts, but the Air National Guard’s 176th Wing mounted a rescue operation that confirmed the fatalities.
The NTSB and FAA will investigate the cause of the crash, including weather conditions and flight data, though no preliminary findings have been released.
Security Aviation, which operates a fleet of small aircraft for charters across Alaska, has not yet issued a public statement. The company’s pilots are often experienced bush aviators who regularly fly in challenging weather and terrain.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it is coordinating with local, state, and federal authorities as it supports the families of the deceased.
Thursday’s crash is among the deadliest aviation incidents in Alaska in recent years. The state’s reliance on small aircraft for transportation across vast, rugged terrain makes it a frequent site of aviation accidents, though fatal crashes with this many victims are rare.
Murkowski’s remarks underscored the close-knit nature of Alaska’s aviation community, where pilots and passengers are often known to local leaders and residents.
The names of the victims have not been released publicly, pending notification of next of kin.
Source: www.dailywire.com — https://www.dailywire.com/news/no-survivors-after-plane-crashes-in-remote-alaskan-wilderness