Eight Die in Alaska Charter Plane Crash

A civilian-contracted Cessna 441 charter plane with eight on board crashed near Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport in western Alaska on approach to the remote radar site. The flight departed from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was en route to Cape Newenham, about 450 miles west of Anchorage, with two pilots and six passengers aboard. Authorities confirmed there were no survivors. The crash prompted a large-scale response involving search-and-rescue, the NTSB, the FAA, and military and civilian agencies, and an investigation has begun into the cause. U.S. and Alaska officials, including Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, described those on board as dedicated professionals and offered condolences. The exact mission of the civilian-contracted flight has not been disclosed, with details expected to emerge as the investigation proceeds.