Charter plane with 8 on board crashes near remote Alaskan cape

Aug. 21 (UPI) — A small charter aircraft with eight people on board crashed on a remote cape in southwest Alaska on Thursday, according to authorities, who said there appeared to be no survivors.

The Cessna 441 plane operated by Security Aviation crashed at around 12:15 p.m. AKDT near Cape Newenham’s airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said, Anchorage Daily News reported.

The plane was flying from Anchorage to Cape Newenham when the crash occurred, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigator Millicent Hill, who said Anchorage air traffic controllers had received an alert notifying them that the aircraft did not arrive at the airport.

Hill said there was no indication of survivors.

“This is incredibly difficult news for many Alaskans, especially those in our close-knit aviation community,” Rep. Nick Begich, R-Alaska, said in a social media statement.

“My office and I remain in direct contact with the NTSB as the response and investigation continue. We are closely following developments and will remain engaged as additional information becomes available.”

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she has traveled “extensively” with Security Aviation and complimented its pilots, calling them “experienced.”

“Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones and the team at Security Aviation,” she said online.

This is a developing story.