In brief
A U.S. military aircraft, chartered by the Army Corps of Engineers, crashed into the snow-covered terrain near Cape Newenham in Alaska, killing all eight aboard. The plane departed from Anchorage International Airport and vanished en route to the remote radar station nine hours later. Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees were confirmed passengers, while the remaining crew included two pilots and six others whose identities remain undisclosed. Rescue teams confirmed no survivors, and a joint investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board and Defense partners is underway. The incident underscores the challenges of operating and maintaining critical radar infrastructure in harsh, remote regions of Alaska.
A chartered aircraft operating under contract for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) crashed into a snow‑covered ridge near the Cape Newenham radar installation, killing every passenger on board. The accident, which occurred just after midday local time (20:00 GMT) on Thursday, was confirmed by the U.S. Air Force Alaskan Command and the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska division.
The plane had taken off from Anchorage International Airport, circumnavigating 450 miles (725 km) to the west to reach the remote radar site. It carried two pilots and six passengers, including two USACE employees. The identities of the remaining passengers remain undisclosed.
Rescue teams that flew to the crash site found no survivors. Investigators are documenting wreckage and reviewing flight data to determine the cause of the crash. The Air Force and the USACE have pledged full support to the families and to the broader community served by the radar system.
Cape Newenham hosts the Alaska Radar System’s long‑range radar, a vital network that monitors aircraft approaching and operating within Alaskan airspace. The site’s remote location and harsh weather conditions heighten the complexity of search and rescue operations. This tragedy highlights the need for enhanced safety protocols for aircraft deployed to such extreme environments.
