Eight killed in plane crash at remote Alaskan military site, air force says

An aircraft operated by a civilian contractor crashed at a remote US Air Force site in Alaska on Thursday afternoon, resulting in the death of all eight individuals on board, according to the US military. The exact identities of the passengers and the purpose of their mission remain unclear. Lt Gen Robert Davis, the chief of the US Air Force Alaskan Command, described the victims as "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment."

The incident occurred near Cape Newenham, a location hosting an airport for a long-range radar site.

The plane departed from Anchorage International Airport and was en route to Cape Newenham, approximately 450 miles (725 km) to the west, as reported by the US Air Force Alaskan Command. Rescuers who arrived at the crash site confirmed there were no survivors. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, and the identities of the deceased will be released once their next of kin have been notified.

Clint Johnson, chief of the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region, stated that the aircraft carried two pilots and six passengers, as reported by CBS News and the BBC’s US partner.

Cape Newenham is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote sites responsible for monitoring aircraft in Alaskan airspace.