Pilots unable to see ground right before Alaska plane crash that killed 8

Federal authorities investigating a plane crash that left eight dead in a remote region of Alaska say that the plane went down after the pilots were unable to see the ground.

The plane, a Cessna 441, crashed shortly after noon local time on Aug. 20 near Cape Newenham, the Federal Aviation Administration said. On board were two pilots, two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers members and four contractors, the National Transportation Safety Board said.

Cape Newenham is a radar site located in mountainous terrain on the Alaskan coast.

Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the crash. Clint Johnson, chief of the NTSB’s Alaska office, said visibility was poor to the point that the pilots could not see the ground.

It’s unclear why the crew was flying to the remote outpost known as a NORAD radar station. Alaskan Command told USA TODAY that the flight was a "civilian-contracted aircraft," and that the people on board were carrying out an unspecified mission.

"This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Robert Davis, commander of Alaskan Command, the Alaskan North American Aerospace Defense Command Region and Eleventh Air Force.

Here's what we know so far about the crash:

What caused plane to go down in Alaska?

The NTSB said that based on a review of "very preliminary data" the plane went down after the pilots attempted a landing in conditions where they could not see the ground, meaning they were relying solely on technical instruments.

Johnson said the crew attempted a first landing but abandoned the approach after being unable to see the ground. He said the plane crashed as the crew made a second attempt at landing.

"The pilots in this case were navigating solely by instruments," Johnson said. "Weather conditions did not allow them to see the ground."

Recovery crews plan to make a helicopter landing at the crash site to recover the wreckage for investigators to review. NTSB officials described the wreckage as "highly fragmented" and said there was a post-crash fire. 

"The location and the terrain obviously is going to be a bit of a challenge for us," Johnson said. 

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Who was on board the plane that crashed in Alaska?

There were eight people on board the plane that crashed on Aug. 20, authorities said. All eight were killed.

Johnson, the Alaska NTSB chief said two pilots, two members of the Army Corps of Engineers and four unspecified contractors were aboard. 

The pilots, Johnson said, worked for Security Aviation, an Anchorage-based airline that specializes in taking passengers to remote destinations in the region. 

The identities of those on board had not been released as of early Aug. 21. Alaskan Command told USA TODAY that the victims would be identified 24 hours after next of kin are notified.

"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," Davis said.

Security Aviation released a statement saying they were "heartbroken by the accident involving one of our aircraft."

"Our thoughts are also with our employees, colleagues and the many people across Alaska whose lives have been touched by this loss," the company said. "The messages of support coming in from across the state have meant a great deal."

USA TODAY has reached out to the Army Corps of Engineers for comment.

Where did the charter plane crash?

The plane crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles west-southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, officials said. The radar site is part of a network that tracks aircraft in Alaskan airspace and near its borders.

According to the NTSB, the plane crashed in "steep, mountainous terrain" about a quarter of a mile away from an airport runway. 

It was coming from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport where it had taken off around 9:15 a.m., authorities said.

Contributing: Charles Ventura, USA TODAY; Reuters

This story was updated to add new information.