A small aircraft crashed at a secluded military base in western Alaska, resulting in the tragic deaths of all eight individuals on board. The incident occurred during the plane’s second landing attempt in dense fog when communication was lost, as revealed by authorities on Friday. According to Clint Johnson, the head of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Alaska, the Cessna’s two pilots were navigating solely by instruments due to poor visibility, failing to spot the gravel airstrip. The first landing effort was aborted as per regulations, leading to the fatal crash approximately 500 meters from the runway, which is surrounded by mountainous terrain on three sides.
Among the passengers were the two pilots, two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers workers, and four contractors. Notably, two of the contractors were affiliated with Calista Brice, a group of companies specializing in construction, engineering, and logistics services in remote regions. This enterprise is a subsidiary of Calista Corp., an Alaska Native regional corporation. The purpose of their mission at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site, situated about 725 kilometers west of Anchorage on Alaska’s southwestern coast, has not been disclosed by military officials.
NTSB investigators are en route to the crash site for further examination. The radar installation, established in the 1950s to provide early warning against potential missile threats from the Soviet Union, now monitors airspace in the direction of Russia, North Korea, and China. U.S. Air Force Lt.-Gen. Robert Davis expressed deep sorrow over the loss, acknowledging the dedication of the individuals involved in carrying out vital tasks in challenging circumstances.
Weather conditions deteriorated on the day of the crash, with heavy fog enveloping the area. An automated weather system near the airport recorded a significant drop in visibility minutes before the incident, with subsequent reports indicating a reduction to less than 400 meters post-crash. Aviation expert Mike O’Donnell suggested that the adverse weather conditions warranted a diversion to an alternate landing site.
The airstrip is located within a private military facility managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, playing a crucial role in tracking aircraft movements within Alaskan airspace and along its borders. The Cape Newenham outpost ceased operations in 1983 following radar upgrades and is sporadically visited by civilian contractors for maintenance purposes.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed that the deceased employees were part of a team supporting a project for the U.S. Air Force, although 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.