Alaskan Military Plane Crash Claims Eight Lives
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.
