FAA: 8 people killed in charter plane crash near U.S. Air Force radar site airstrip in Alaska

A charter airplane carrying eight people crashed in Alaska on Thursday afternoon, killing all aboard, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The crash occurred near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, a U.S. Air Force military airstrip in a remote area of the state’s southwest region.

The FAA said it is investigating the crash and coordinating with relevant authorities. The incident took place at or near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, an installation operated by the U.S. Air Force, where an associated airfield supports military activities in the area.

According to the FAA, the affected aircraft was a charter plane traveling to or from the region when it went down. Details about the operator, flight route, or circumstances leading up to the crash were not included in the initial account.

Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport is located in an isolated part of Alaska where access can be limited by weather and terrain. Incidents at such remote airfields typically require federal, state, and military coordination for search, recovery, and investigation.

The FAA has primary responsibility for civil aviation safety investigations, while military installations may involve additional support from defense entities due to the site’s operational security requirements. The investigation is expected to include data review, aircraft examination, and interviews of witnesses or personnel with knowledge of the flight and conditions.

Emergency response and recovery efforts in remote Alaska generally depend on weather, daylight, and the availability of specialized equipment and aircraft. The FAA’s next steps are likely to focus on determining the sequence of events and identifying safety lessons for operators and communities that rely on air service.

The crash is the latest in a series of aviation incidents that have highlighted the challenges of operating and investigating flights in Alaska’s sparsely connected regions. Additional information is expected as the FAA investigation progresses and as officials release updates on the findings.