Photo: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP / Getty Images
A tragic plane crash in southwest Alaska has claimed the lives of eight people. On Thursday (August 20), a Cessna 441 operated by Security Aviation crashed near Cape Newenham, a remote military radar site, shortly after departing from Anchorage. The crash occurred around 12:15 p.m. as the aircraft neared its destination, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The flight carried two pilots and six passengers, all of whom were confirmed deceased by search-and-rescue crews. The Alaskan Command described the flight as a civilian-contracted mission, with the victims being "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment," according to US Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis. The identities of the victims will be released after notifying their families.
The Cape Newenham facility, where the crash occurred, is part of a network of radar sites monitoring Alaska's airspace. The gravel runway at the site is nearly 4,000 feet long and located on a mountain slope, making landing challenging.
The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with the FAA's support. Only military and approved charter flights are permitted to land at the Cape Newenham facility.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed her condolences, acknowledging the experienced pilots of Security Aviation and appreciating the swift response from the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center.
For more details, visit the original reports from CNN and Asharq Al-Awsat.