Alaska plane crash leaves 8 dead after attempt to land in heavy fog

A Cessna aircraft crashed at a remote military facility in western Alaska on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of all eight individuals aboard, according to officials. The twin-engine plane attempted a second landing in heavy fog, despite being unable to see the gravel airstrip and relying solely on instruments for navigation. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that the crew had to abort their initial landing due to poor visibility and then crashed on its second approach, roughly halfway to the runway.

The airstrip, situated amid mountainous terrain on three sides, is located around 725 kilometers west of Anchorage. Four contractors, including two from Calista Brice and two from an Alaska Native regional corporation, were among the victims. The Air Force commander described the deceased as dedicated professionals carrying out a crucial mission in a challenging environment.

The NTSB is currently investigating the crash site, where investigators located scattered wreckage after tracking the twin-engine plane's final flight path. Weather conditions had been deteriorating rapidly, with visibility plummeting from approximately 16 kilometers to under 400 meters shortly before the incident.