All eight people aboard a chartered aircraft were killed when it crashed near a remote radar installation on the Bering Sea coast of Western Alaska on August 20. Tributes pour in as authorities identify two US Army Corps engineers and an air force officer killed in the Alaska plane crash.Officials confirmed on Monday, August 24, that the victims included two US Army Corps of Engineers employees and a US Air Force officer. The twin-engine turboprop Cessna Conquest, operated by Security Aviation and chartered by the US Army Corps of Engineers, went down at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, approximately 450 miles west-southwest of Anchorage. The aircraft was carrying two pilots and six passengers. Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said the pilot aborted at least one landing attempt due to low visibility before the plane crashed during a subsequent approach in foggy conditions. Alaska plane crash victims named so far According to USACE, the US Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District identified the two employees killed as Sabrina Hansen and Hayden Scalis, both based in Anchorage. Hansen served as a fire protection engineer and Scalis as a mechanical engineer, with both working within the district’s Engineering Division. The pair was travelling on official duty to inspect and perform maintenance on a newly installed fire suppression system at the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site. The US Air Force separately confirmed the death of Second Lieutenant Leah R. Borsich, 23, a project programmer with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Col. Timothy Meerstein, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, described Borsich as “a positive leader who brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to our command,” adding that “she led with professionalism, compassion, and purpose.” The Alaska State Troopers are expected to release the identities of the remaining passengers who were not affiliated with the Department of Defense. Authorities identify two of the public servants killed in the Alaska plane crash. Photo: Alaska News Source. Source: Facebook Senior officials pay tribute Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham, 56th Chief of Engineers and USACE commanding general, said the organisation mourned the loss of what he called dedicated public servants. “They were public servants and true professionals, dedicated to securing our nation,” Graham said. “Our thoughts are with their families and colleagues during this time of immeasurable loss.” Col. Victor Trujillo II, Alaska District commander, said the loss weighed heavily on the entire district. “Our district family carries a heavy burden with the loss of our colleagues, Sabrina and Hayden,” Trujillo said. “We will continue to support and mourn alongside their families, and our thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved in this tragedy.” The NTSB is leading the ongoing investigation into the cause of the crash. Ecuador intel chief killed in plane crash Elsewhere, Ecuador intelligence chief Michele Sensi-Contugi was killed in a plane crash in Samburu county. The accident, which happened near Mt. Ololokwe, also claimed the lives of the pilot and five Americans, including Michele’s wife. President Daniel Noboa vowed to take care of Michele’s children while calling his close relationship with the late couple.
