A charter aircraft carrying eight people crashed near a remote military radar site in western Alaska on Thursday, killing everyone on board, according to CNN.

The Cessna 441 aircraft departed Anchorage and was flying to Cape Newenham, about 450 miles southwest of the city. The aircraft went down near Cape Newenham Airport at around 12:15 p.m. local time, according to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Clint Johnson, chief of the Alaska region for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said the aircraft was carrying two pilots and six passengers. The flight was operated by Alaska-based charter company Security Aviation.

The aircraft crashed on land near Cape Newenham Airport, an Air Force airstrip that provides access to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site. The facility is restricted to military and approved charter flights.

Following an FAA alert, the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center, operated by the Alaska Air National Guard, launched a search-and-rescue operation. Rescue personnel later reached the crash site and confirmed that all eight people on board had died. Alaska Command also confirmed the fatalities.

The cause of the crash remains unknown. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the investigation.

Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed condolences following the crash. In a statement posted on X, Murkowski said she had traveled extensively with Security Aviation and had met many of its experienced pilots. She also thanked the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the crash site.

The identities of those killed have not yet been released pending notification of their families.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s final flight path, weather conditions, operational circumstances, and any possible mechanical issues as part of the investigation.

Sources: CNN, Associated Press, KTUU, FAA, NTSB