All 8 killed in plane crash chartered by Army Corps of Engineers at remote Alaska radar site

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) - All eight people aboard a charter aircraft that crashed near a remote radar site in Western Alaska were killed, the U.S. military said Thursday.

The aircraft went down around 11:45 a.m. at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 460 miles southwest of Anchorage. The plane departed from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport around 9:15 a.m.

Clint Johnson, National Transportation Safety Board Alaska chief, said in a press conference Friday two pilots, two members of the Army Corps of Engineers and four contractors were on board the plane.

The twin-engine Cessna 441 Conquest aircraft operated by Security Aviation was chartered to fly from Anchorage to Cape Newenham, located about 40 miles south of Goodnews Bay, according to Johnson.

Johnson said the crash took place after a missed approach to the runway. At the time, the plane was operating in instrument meteorological conditions, meaning the pilots were navigating solely by instruments as weather conditions did not allow them to see the ground. After the second missed approach, Anchorage Center lost communication with the plane, and the search began shortly after.

Searchers found the plane’s wreckage late Thursday afternoon, Johnson said. The wreckage was found in an area of rising terrain and there was a post-crash fire. It was found about a quarter mile west of runway 15, the intended arrival of the flight.

“Now we move into a recovery effort,” Johnson said. “Our main focus right now is being able to get our team out to Cape Newenham and begin our on-site investigation.”

An Alaska Air National Guard HH-60W Jolly Green II, joined by an HC-130J Combat King II, landed near the crash site, where Guardian Angel personnel from the 212th Rescue Squadron confirmed there were no survivors, according to a statement from NORAD.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said next of kin have been notified and that it is “coordinating closely with the appropriate local, state, and federal authorities,” adding that additional information would be released “as it becomes available and is appropriate to share.”

NORAD said the names of the deceased will be released 24 hours after next of kin notifications are complete.

“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.

Johnson said the plane went down on land near the Cape Newenham Airport, an Air Force airstrip that provides access to the Long Range Radar Station.

The NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center were also responding to the site, Johnson said.

Alaska State Troopers said they are aware of the plane crash and that the response remains active, adding that additional information will be released as it becomes available.

Alaska’s News Source reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard, who said the Alaska Air National Guard was also responding to the crash.

The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center confirmed it opened a search and rescue mission Thursday in response to the original Federal Aviation Administration alert notification regarding the incident.

Search and rescue forces are on scene, and the incident remains under investigation, according to the center. Additional information is expected to be released as it becomes available.

The NTSB and FAA will be investigating the crash, according to a statement from the FAA. The NTSB will lead the investigation and provide all updates.

“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of those who were lost,” Security Aviation said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to them and to everyone affected by this devastating tragedy. They remain foremost in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”

In their statement, Security Aviation said they are cooperating with authorities during their investigation.

“We will not speculate about the circumstances or potential cause and will defer questions regarding the investigation to the agencies leading that work,” Security Aviation’s statement reads.

Gov. Mike Dunleavy, standing beside Alaska’s senators for a Friday press conference unrelated to the crash, called the situation “a tragedy,” adding “we don’t have a lot [of information] until they really examine what happened out there.

“Unfortunately, because we are a state that flies a lot and oftentimes we fly in various conditions, various weather and things can change — unfortunate situations like this happen,” he said. “That doesn’t minimize the loss of the families and the friends.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, spoke on broader concerns regarding aviation safety, something he recently spoke on in July when the federal government announced plans to invest half a million dollars into aviation safety.

“[There] are all kind of bureaucratic red tape things that slow down delivery, and they don’t make us safer,” he said. “We’re focused on it. The funding’s coming ... but this is a reminder of how dangerous it can be.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released a short statement on social media shortly after the news broke, saying she has traveled “extensively” with Security Aviation in the past.

“Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation,” Murkowski said.

Rep. Nick Begich also issued a statement Thursday, saying he and his wife Dharna “join Alaskans across our state in praying for everyone affected and the entire Security Aviation family.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated as more details emerge.

Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this story.

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