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Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees were among the eight who were killed this week when a charter plane crashed in southwestern Alaska, the military confirmed Friday.
The twin-engine Cessna 441 got caught in fog on Thursday as it flew from Anchorage bound for the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site.
The identities of the passengers have yet to be released.
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“This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve,” U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force, said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
He continued, “These individuals were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment. Our absolute priority right now is providing unwavering support to their families, friends, and teammates during this devastating time. We are profoundly grateful for the swift and tireless response of our search and recovery professionals.”
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Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site is one of several remote radar sites that track aircraft operating around Alaska.
The military said the families of the employees have been notified and their identities would be released 24 hours after the families found out.
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“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today,” Republican Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski wrote in a statement. “I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots.”
“I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site,” she continued. “Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”
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Last year, a Bering Air flight bound for Nome crashed off Alaska into sea ice, killing all 10 aboard.
The plane was later found to be more than 1,000 lbs “over the maximum takeoff gross weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions,” according to a report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
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