A civilian‑contracted aircraft crashed in the mountains of western Alaska, killing all eight people on board, the United States Air Force said on Thursday. The aircraft, which had taken off from Anchorage International Airport, was en route to the Cape Newenham long‑range radar site when the accident occurred about 450 mi (725 km) west of Anchorage.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that two pilots and six passengers were aboard. While the identities of some of the passengers remain unknown, Air Force officials described the crew as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.”
Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of the Air Force Alaskan Command, said the loss was devastating for the military community and the people served by the radar system. “Our absolute priority is to provide unwavering support to the families, friends and teammates of the victims during this devastating time,” he added. Rear Admiral Asif K. Patel, responsible for emergency response, praised the rapid, tireless work of search and recovery teams at the site.
Search crews who reached the crash site reported that no survivors were found. An investigation into the cause of the accident is now underway. The NTSB’s Alaska regional chief, Clint Johnson, announced that the recovery effort is proceeding under controlled conditions, with its findings to be released once families have been notified.
Cape Newenham, located on Alaska’s southwest coast, hosts a key station of the Alaska Radar System, a network that monitors aircraft approaching or flying over Alaskan airspace. The remote nature of the site and harsh weather conditions are factors that underscore the importance of strict safety protocols for aircraft working in the region.
