A chartered civilian aircraft has crashed near an isolated radar station in western Alaska, killing all eight people on board.
The incident occurred at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Station Airport, approximately 725 kilometers west of Anchorage. The U.S. military confirmed that it was a “contract civilian aircraft” carrying eight people.
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According to Clint Johnson, the Alaska regional director for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the aircraft was carrying two pilots and six passengers.
The aircraft had departed from Anchorage and, based on preliminary data, crashed on Thursday while approaching its destination airport.
Lieutenant General Robert Davis, commander of the Alaskan Command, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Alaska Region and the 11th Air Force, expressed his sorrow over the loss of eight lives.
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” Davis said.
He said the crew consisted of “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a highly demanding environment.”
“Our absolute priority at this time is to provide unwavering support to their families, friends and colleagues during this difficult time,” he added.
The Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center administers the Cape Newenham radar station, which is part of a network of remote facilities monitoring air traffic in Alaska and along its border.
U.S. authorities have not yet released further details about the mission the crew was carrying out, while the identities of the victims have not been made public.
Search-and-rescue forces arrived at the crash site, and authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash.
