Friday, August 21, 2026 - A charter aircraft carrying eight people crashed at a remote radar site in western Alaska on Thursday, August 20, k!lling all on board, the US military said.
The crash happened at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site
Airport, approximately 450 miles (725 km) west of Anchorage, Alaska.
“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the
communities we serve,” US Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan
Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and
Eleventh Air Force, said in a statement.
The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional
Support Center. It’s part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks
aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, the statement
from Alaskan Command said.
The statement did not provide details on the specific work
the individuals were doing. It referred to the plane involved as a
“civilian-contracted aircraft.”
Davis described those on board as “dedicated professionals
carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment. Our absolute priority
right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends and
teammates during this devastating time. We are profoundly grateful for the
swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”
Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s
Alaska region chief, said earlier Thursday evening that two pilots and six
passengers were on board
The plane had taken off from Anchorage and was believed to
have crashed early Thursday afternoon on approach to Cape Newenham, Johnson
said.
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