Six passengers and two pilots were on board the aircraft when it crashed
Credit: Bryan Olin Dozier/Anadolu via Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- A charter plane crashed in Alaska on Thursday, Aug. 20, killing everyone onboard
- Two pilots and six passengers were traveling on the plane at the time of the crash
- The civilian-contracted aircraft was traveling from Anchorage to Cape Newenham, according to reports
A charter plane has crashed at a remote site in western Alaska, killing all eight people onboard, according to reports.
The aircraft went down on Thursday, Aug. 20, at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, which is around 450 miles west of Anchorage, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Two pilots and six passengers were onboard the plane, Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)’s Alaskan chief, told the outlet.
Johnson said the plane had taken off from Anchorage and was believed to have crashed while traveling to Cape Newenham.
Credit: Yasin Demirci/Anadolu via Getty
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis said in a statement, per NBC News.
“These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment,” said Davis, who is Commander of the Alaskan Command, Eleventh Air Force and the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region.
“Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time,” he added.
The statement said the plane was a “civilian-contracted aircraft.” It is unclear what work the team was carrying out.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it chartered the plane and that two of its employees were among those killed in the crash, according to KTUU-TV. The agency added that their families have been informed of their deaths.
The aircraft is believed to be a twin-engine Cessna, per the outlet.
Credit: Getty
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Alaskan Sen. Lisa Murkowski posted about the crash on X, and said the state was “praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”
“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” she said. “I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots. I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site.”
Alaskan Rep. Nick Begich said in a Facebook statement: “This is incredibly difficult news for many Alaskans, especially those in our close-knit aviation community. Dharna and I join Alaskans across our state in praying for everyone affected and the entire Security Aviation family.”
The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the NTSB did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for further information.
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