Charter plane crash in Alaska kills all eight onboard near US military airstrip

An aircraft operating under contract to the US Air Force crashed at a remote site in Alaska on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all eight individuals on board. The exact identities and purposes of the passengers remain unknown.

According to the US Air Force Alaskan Command, the plane departed from Anchorage International Airport en route to Cape Newenham, a location 450 miles (725 km) to the west. The crash site, near Cape Newenham, is home to an airport serving a long-range radar facility.

Lt Gen Robert Davis, the chief of the US Air Force Alaskan Command, described the victims as dedicated professionals performing a crucial mission in a challenging environment. He emphasized that the tragic loss is deeply impacting the military community and the surrounding areas. The top priority is currently providing support to the families, friends, and fellow service members affected by this incident.

Search and recovery teams have confirmed that there were no survivors. An ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash is being conducted, with the identities of the deceased to be released after notifying their next of kin. Clint Johnson, chief for the National Transportation Safety Board's Alaska region, identified two pilots and six passengers on board, as reported by CBS News and BBC US.

The Cape Newenham site, situated on Alaska's southwest coast, is part of the Alaska Radar System - a series of isolated locations tasked with monitoring aircraft in the region's airspace.