Archive · 21 Aug 2026
Eight Killed in Charter Crash at Remote Alaska Radar Site
A small charter plane crashed in a remote part of western Alaska.
Eight people were on the plane, including two pilots and six passengers.
Everyone aboard died.
The plane had started its trip in Anchorage.
It crashed while getting close to an airport at Cape Newenham.
The airport supports a radar station that helps watch aircraft in Alaska’s airspace and near its borders.
Officials said the plane was helping with work at the radar site.
They have not said what caused the crash or exactly what the people were doing.
Search and recovery teams responded, while military leaders focused on helping the victims’ families, friends, and colleagues.
A civilian-contracted charter aircraft crashed at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport in western Alaska, killing all eight people aboard.
The aircraft carried two pilots and six passengers and had departed from Anchorage.
The crash was believed to have occurred early Thursday afternoon, Aug. 20, while the plane was approaching the airport.
Cape Newenham is approximately 450 miles, or 725 kilometers, west of Anchorage.
The aircraft was supporting a remote radar site, but officials did not disclose its specific mission or the cause of the crash.
- Who
- Eight people—two pilots and six passengers—were aboard the civilian-contracted charter aircraft; all were killed.
- What
- A charter aircraft crashed while approaching Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport.
- When
- The crash occurred on Thursday, Aug. 20, and was believed to have happened early Thursday afternoon.
- Where
- Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport in western Alaska, approximately 450 miles (725 kilometers) west of Anchorage.
- Why
- The aircraft was supporting a remote radar site, but officials did not disclose its specific mission or the crash cause.
- Deaths
- Eight people
- People aboard
- Two pilots and six passengers
- Aircraft
- Civilian-contracted charter aircraft
- Departure
- Anchorage
- Crash location
- Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport
- Distance from Anchorage
- Approximately 450 miles (725 kilometers) west
- Radar-site role
- The facility is part of a network monitoring aircraft in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders
