ANCHORAGE — A charter plane crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska in the US on Thursday, killing all eight people on board, CNN reported on Friday, citing federal aviation and military officials.
A Cessna 441 crashed near its destination around 12.15 pm local time (2015GMT) Thursday, after departing from Anchorage and heading to Cape Newenham, about 725 kilometers southwest, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, according to initial information.
The aircraft was a civilian-contracted flight carrying eight personnel, the Alaskan Command said, adding that there were no survivors, as confirmed by search-and-rescue teams.
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” US 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.
The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. It’s part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, the statement from Alaskan Command said.
The statement did not provide details on the specific work the individuals were doing. It referred to the plane involved as a “civilian-contracted aircraft.”
Davis described those on board as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment. 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.”
Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said earlier Thursday evening that two pilots and six passengers were on board.
The cause of the crash is not known yet.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, with the board leading the investigation.
Only military and approved charter planes are permitted to land at the Cape Newenham facility.
The names of the people on board and the crew will be announced after their next of kin have been notified, the command noted.
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