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NTSB Investigates Alaska Cessna Crash, Eight Killed

8/27/2026

Summary

US Security Aviation Crash

A United States Security Aviation Cessna 441 crashed while landing in fog at Cape Newenham, Alaska, killing eight.
Engineer Trevor McWilliams, 2nd Lt. Leah Borsich, fire-engineer Sabrina Hansen, and mechanical engineer Hayden Scalis died.
NTSB team led by Eric Gutierrez, joined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator, responded to the crash.
A GoFundMe campaign for Trevor McWilliams raised $45,000 and listed his wife Porschea Doziér and six children as survivors.

Summary

NTSB Recovery Hurdles

NTSB Alaska chief Clint Johnson said wreckage lies on a mountain 600-800 ft high, complicating recovery.
Investigators will need helicopters to lift debris to the runway, then a cargo plane to transport it to Anchorage.
The agency expects initial findings within three weeks and a full cause report within two years.
Security Aviation issued a statement expressing grief and pledged full cooperation with the NTSB and FAA.

Summary

Crew Inspects Radar

A crew traveled to Cape Newenham radar to inspect a newly installed fire-suppression system.
Cape Newenham radar, built in the 1950s, formed part of an early-warning network against Soviet attacks.
Today the radar monitors Alaskan airspace and tracks aircraft from Russia, North Korea, and China.
Contractor Calista Brice supplies construction, engineering, and logistics services for the isolated radar site.

History

Historical Context

In 1957 the United States Air Force opened the Distant Early Warning (DEW) Line, placing a radar station at Cape Newenham to detect Soviet bombers during the Cold War. The $1.5 billion network spanned ninety Arctic sites, securing continental defense. A Cessna 441 crash at the Alaskan site, investigated by NTSB’s Eric Gutierrez and FAA’s Clint Johnson, highlights lingering safety challenges.

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US Security Aviation Crash

A United States Security Aviation Cessna 441 crashed while landing in fog at Cape Newenham, Alaska, killing eight.
Engineer Trevor McWilliams, 2nd Lt. Leah Borsich, fire-engineer Sabrina Hansen, and mechanical engineer Hayden Scalis died.
NTSB team led by Eric Gutierrez, joined by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigator, responded to the crash.
A GoFundMe campaign for Trevor McWilliams raised $45,000 and listed his wife Porschea Doziér and six children as survivors.

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