# Fatal aircraft accidents in Alaska > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-aircraft-accidents-in-alaska > Updated: 2026-09-01T15:00:26.000Z. Sources: 121. Developments: 6. A series of fatal aircraft accidents in Alaska has drawn investigation into flight operations and weather-related risks. In February 2025, Bering Air Flight 445 crashed near Nome, killing all ten people on board. An NTSB investigation concluded the accident was caused by a combination of severe in-flight icing and the aircraft being approximately 991 pounds over its weight limit. The report also cited pilot error in failing to maintain airspeed and criticized the FAA for inadequate oversight regarding the airline’s overweight operations. In August 2026, a Security Aviation charter Cessna 441 crashed near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site in western Alaska, killing all eight people on board, including two pilots and six passengers. The NTSB reported that the aircraft aborted a landing attempt while navigating solely by instruments due to weather conditions. The plane crashed in mountainous terrain during a second attempt to land on a gravel runway in heavy fog. On August 26, 2026, a Piper PA-24 crashed into the shallow waters of Seldovia Slough while traveling from Anchorage to Seldovia, killing all four adults on board. The victims were identified as pilot Eric Middlebrook, 68, a former mayor of Bethel, and passengers Ronald Schmidt, 65, Lance Schmidt, 20, and Daniel Simons, 82. Rescuers faced difficulties due to tidal conditions, as the aircraft was submerged in approximately 15 feet of water; authorities recovered the bodies after the tide receded. Preliminary accounts suggest Middlebrook may have been attempting a go-around maneuver during a landing attempt from the north. The NTSB and FAA have launched investigations into the crash. Following these recent tragedies, U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan stated that aviation safety and infrastructure remain a primary focus. ## Claims - A charter aircraft crashed at a remote radar site in western Alaska on Thursday, killing all eight people on board. (corroborated by 35 sources) - The aircraft was a Cessna 441 operated by Security Aviation. (corroborated by 33 sources) - The aircraft carried two pilots and six passengers. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The NTSB will lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. (corroborated by 30 sources) - The Cessna 441 crashed around 12:15 p.m. local time while approaching Cape Newenham. (corroborated by 24 sources) - Lt. Gen. Robert Davis described the crash as a devastating loss for the military family. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center initiated search and rescue operations following the incident. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The aircraft was chartered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and included two civilian employees. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The crash occurred near the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, roughly 450 miles west of Anchorage. (corroborated by 8 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Alaska plane crash kills former Bethel mayor and three relatives A fatal aircraft crash in Alaska's Seldovia Slough killed four people, including former Bethel mayor Eric Middlebrook and three of his relatives. Federal authorities are investigating the incident. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alaska-plane-crash-kills-former-bethel-mayor-and-three-relatives ### 2026-08-27: Alaska plane crash near Seldovia kills four people Four people, including former Bethel mayor Eric Middlebrook, died after a small plane crashed into the waters of Seldovia Slough, Alaska, on Wednesday. The NTSB is investigating the cause. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/four-killed-in-small-plane-crash-near-seldovia-alaska ### 2026-08-26: Alaska plane crash kills eight near Cape Newenham radar site A charter plane crash near Alaska's Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site killed eight people, including a U.S. Air Force officer, during a second landing attempt in heavy fog. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alaska-plane-crash-kills-eight-near-cape-newenham-radar-site-1 ### 2026-08-23: Alaska plane crash kills eight near Cape Newenham radar site Eight people, including 2nd Lt. Leah Borsich, died when a charter Cessna 441 crashed near a remote radar site in western Alaska. An investigation by the NTSB is underway. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alaska-plane-crash-kills-eight-near-cape-newenham-radar-site ### 2026-08-21: Alaska charter plane crash kills eight near Cape Newenham radar site Eight people, including two pilots and six passengers, died when a chartered Cessna 441 crashed near a remote military radar site in western Alaska on Thursday. 92 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/charter-plane-crashes-near-remote-alaska-radar-station ### 2026-07-30: Bering Air Flight 445 crash blamed on overload and severe icing The NTSB attributes the Alaska Bering Air crash that killed 10 to severe icing, an overloaded aircraft, pilot airspeed error, and inadequate FAA oversight. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bering-air-flight-445-crash-blamed-on-overload-and-severe-icing --- Cite as: Fatal aircraft accidents in Alaska. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-aircraft-accidents-in-alaska