Eight people were killed on Thursday afternoon when a charter plane went down near a remote U.S. Air Force radar installation in southwest Alaska, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The aircraft crashed close to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, a military airstrip roughly 500 miles southwest of Anchorage.
The plane had departed Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was bound for Cape Newenham when it went down around 12:15 p.m. local time, the FAA said in a preliminary report. The agency is working jointly with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis described the incident as a “devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” in a statement carried by The Associated Press. The Cape Newenham site is part of the military’s long-range radar network, which supports missile warning and space surveillance operations.
The crash drew immediate reactions from Alaska’s congressional delegation. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who said she has flown extensively with the charter operator, Security Aviation, offered condolences and praised the response efforts. “I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” she wrote on X. “I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site.” She added, “Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”
Fellow Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan also expressed sympathy and called for transparency. “Julie and I join our fellow Alaskans in praying for the families and loved ones of those who were killed today in a plane crash in Western Alaska,” he posted. “I’ve asked for a briefing from the NTSB and the FAA as we all seek answers on what caused this horrific tragedy.”
The crash comes as Alaska’s political landscape remains focused on a competitive U.S. Senate race, with a ranked-choice showdown between Sullivan and Democrat Mary Peltola taking shape. The state’s reliance on small aircraft for transport in remote areas has long been a safety concern, and the Cape Newenham accident underscores the risks faced by both civilian and military personnel operating in the region.
Security Aviation, the charter company involved, has not yet released a statement. The company provides passenger and cargo services to remote communities and military installations across Alaska.
Investigators are expected to examine weather conditions, maintenance records, and pilot history as part of the probe. The NTSB has deployed a team to the crash site, though the remote location may complicate recovery and investigation efforts.
This incident marks one of the deadliest aviation accidents in Alaska in recent years. In 2019, a sightseeing plane crash killed five people near Ketchikan. The state has seen a push for improved aviation safety measures, but the vast, rugged terrain continues to pose challenges.
As communities in the region mourn, the military and federal agencies are focusing on the response and the investigation. The Air Force has not disclosed the identities of the deceased, pending notification of next of kin.
