1 dead after police helicopter, small plane collide in Pennsylvania
A pilot died and two troopers were injured after a Pennsylvania State Police helicopter collided with a two-seat Cessna 150 airplane mid-air.
Authorities are investigating a day after a charter plane crashed at a remote radar site in western Alaska, leaving no survivors.
The plane, a Cessna 441, went down shortly after noon local time on Aug. 20, the Federal Aviation Administration said.
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:
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.
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.
Where did the charter plane crash?
The plane crashed west of Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport, about 450 miles west-southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, officials have said.
It was coming from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport and was headed to Cape Newenham, the FAA said.
The radar site is part of a network that tracks aircraft in Alaskan airspace and near its borders.
What caused plane to go down in Alaska?
Officials have not revealed information about the cause of the crash.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.
Contributing: Charles Ventura, USA TODAY; Reuters
This story was updated to add new information.