Army Corps of Engineers employees among 8 killed in southwest Alaska

Two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees and four contractors were among eight killed this week when a charter plane crashed in southwestern Alaska, the military confirmed Friday.

A twin-engine Cessna 441 got caught in fog 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.

The flight's two pilots also died.

"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.

"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."

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.

In a Friday press conference, Clint Johnson, the chief of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Alaska Regional Office, called the crash site "very remote, even for us. We deal in very remote locations. This community or this radar site is located about 460 miles west south-west of Anchorage, and along the ocean."

He said the flight left Anchorage at 9:15 a.m. and crashed around 11:45 a.m.

The pilots, who were with Security Aviation, were navigating solely by their instruments because of the weather, Johnson said, adding that they had already made one missed approach to the runway and lost contact with Anchorage on their second attempt at landing.

The plane was found about a quarter-mile from the runway on rising terrain and the wreckage was "highly fragmented."

"I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today," Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, wrote in a statement on X. "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. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation."