Alaska Plane Crash: Eight Killed At Remote US Air Force Site

Eight people have died after a civilian-contracted aircraft crashed near a remote US Air Force facility in Alaska, the US military has confirmed.

The aircraft went down shortly after midday local time on Thursday near Cape Newenham, where an airport serves a long-range radar installation.

The identities of those on board and the reason for their journey to the remote site have not yet been disclosed. However, the head of US Air Force Alaskan Command, Lt Gen Robert Davis, described them as “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment”.

“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” Lt Gen Robert Davis added.

“Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and teammates during this devastating time,” he said in a statement.

“We are profoundly grateful for the swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”

The aircraft had departed from Anchorage International Airport and was heading to Cape Newenham, located about 450 miles (725km) west of Anchorage by air, according to the US Air Force Alaskan Command.

Rescue personnel who reached the crash site “confirmed there were no survivors”, the military said.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. The identities of the victims will be released after their next of kin have been notified.

According to Clint Johnson, chief of the Alaska region of the National Transportation Safety Board, the aircraft was carrying two pilots and six passengers, CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, reported.

Cape Newenham is located along Alaska’s south-western coast and forms part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote facilities used to monitor aircraft approaching or operating within Alaskan airspace.

The crash has prompted mourning among military personnel and the wider communities connected to the remote facility as investigators work to establish what caused the fatal accident.