A tragic incident occurred in western Alaska when a plane crashed at a secluded military location, resulting in the loss of all eight individuals on board. According to authorities, the aircraft was attempting its second landing in dense fog when communication was lost. The pilots of the Cessna were relying solely on instruments due to poor visibility, as shared by Clint Johnson, the head of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Alaska.
Safety regulations mandated the pilots to abort their initial landing due to the lack of visibility. Unfortunately, during the second landing attempt, the plane crashed approximately 500 meters away from the airstrip, which is surrounded by mountainous terrain on three sides. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) advises pilots to utilize GPS and other instruments for landing at this location.
Among the passengers were two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel and four contractors, including two individuals from Calista Brice, a group of companies specializing in construction, engineering, and logistics in remote regions. Calista Brice operates under the umbrella of Calista Corp., an Alaska Native regional corporation.
The military has not disclosed the nature of the activities being carried out at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, situated about 725 kilometers west of Anchorage along Alaska’s southwest coast. NTSB investigators are en route to the crash site for further examination.
The radar facility, established in the 1950s for early warning purposes against potential missile threats, now serves to monitor airspace in the direction of Russia, North Korea, and China. U.S. Air Force Lt.-Gen. Robert Davis expressed deep sorrow over the loss, recognizing the dedication and importance of the individuals involved in the mission at the radar site.
Inclement weather conditions, including heavy fog, were prevalent in the area at the time of the crash. Weather data indicated a significant decrease in visibility shortly before the incident, prompting discussions about the pilots’ decision-making process regarding landing alternatives.
The airstrip is situated within a private military site managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, part of a network of radar sites overseeing aircraft movements in Alaska’s airspace and borders. The outpost at Cape Newenham, primarily attended by civilian contractors for maintenance purposes, had been inactive since 1983 when a new radar system was installed.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers affirmed that the deceased employees were part of a team supporting a project for the U.S. Air Force, though specific project details were not disclosed. The flight was conducted by Security Aviation, a charter company based in Anchorage, which has not yet responded to inquiries regarding the incident.