Full Breakdown
Fatal Alaska Radar-Site Plane Crash Claims Eight Lives
8/27/2026, 7:50:04 AM
The Crash and Immediate Findings
A twin-engine Cessna 441 Conquest chartered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crashed while attempting a second landing in fog at Cape Newenham Long-Range Radar Site Airport, southwestern Alaska. The aircraft carried two Security Aviation pilots and six passengers—two Corps engineers and four civilian contractors. All eight occupants were killed. Investigators said the crew aborted an initial approach because of low visibility, then descended for a second attempt when visibility dropped to less than a quarter-mile. The wreckage was found scattered on a steep hillside a few hundred feet from the runway, showing signs of a high-speed impact and post-crash fire.
Identified Victims
- 2nd Lt. Leah R. Borsich, 23, project programmer, 611th Civil Engineer Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
- Sabrina Hansen, 46, fire-protection engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage.
- Hayden Scalis, 25, mechanical engineer, Corps, Anchorage.
- Trevor McWilliams, project engineer, Yukon Fire Protection Services, Anchorage.
The remaining four victims have not yet been publicly named; they include the two pilots and two additional contractors employed by Calista Corporation.
Investigation and Recovery Efforts
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dispatched a six-member team to document the scene and began a recovery operation that will require helicopters to lift wreckage from elevations between 600 and 800 feet, followed by transport to Anchorage. The NTSB chief said the investigation will consider human, mechanical and environmental factors, with weather a primary focus. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, and a full report within two years.
Official Reactions
- Lt. Gen. William “Butch” Graham, chief of engineers for the Corps, expressed “immeasurable loss” and extended thoughts to the families.
- Col. Timothy Meerstein, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, highlighted Lt. Borsich’s leadership and the impact on her unit.
- Security Aviation said it was “heartbroken,” is cooperating fully with investigators, and is focusing on supporting grieving families.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The only way right now to recover this wreckage is by helicopter, back down to the runway and then most likely a small cargo plane to be able to take loads out and ultimately bring it back to Anchorage,” — Clint Johnson, NTSB Alaska chief
Why It Matters
Cape Newenham is part of a remote radar network that monitors aircraft and missile activity along Alaska’s borders. The crash highlights the challenges of operating in Alaska’s harsh weather, where fog and rapidly changing visibility can turn routine instrument approaches into high-risk maneuvers. The loss of both military personnel and civilian specialists underscores the reliance on contractor expertise for maintaining critical defense infrastructure in isolated locations.
What’s Next
The NTSB will continue wreckage recovery over the coming weeks, followed by analysis of flight data, maintenance records and weather reports. Findings will be released in stages: an initial safety recommendation within a month, a preliminary cause statement within three weeks, and a comprehensive final report within two years. Federal agencies and the Corps of Engineers have indicated they will review operational procedures for flights to remote radar sites pending the investigation’s conclusions.
