Eight people have died after a civilian-contracted charter aircraft crashed near a remote military radar installation in western Alaska, according to the United States military and aviation regulators.

We previously reported that 10 people had been killed in the incident. However, officials have now clarified that eight people were on board—two pilots and six passengers—according to Clint Johnson, the Alaska region chief for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson confirmed the aircraft was a Cessna 441 operated by Anchorage-based charter company Security Aviation.

The flight had departed from Anchorage International Airport on Thursday and was bound for Cape Newenham, roughly 450 miles (725 km) to the west by air. According to the FAA and US Air Force Alaskan Command, the plane came down west of Cape Newenham LRRS Airport at around 20:15 GMT (shortly after midday local time).

Search and rescue personnel were dispatched to the rugged area shortly after the crash and confirmed that there were no survivors upon reaching the wreckage.

To give you some geographic context, the Cape Newenham facility sits on the south-west coast of Alaska and includes an airstrip alongside a long-range radar station. The site is an active component of the Alaska Radar System, a specialised network of remote outposts tasked with tracking and monitoring aircraft operating within or approaching Alaskan airspace.

The crash has prompted tributes from senior military leadership. The head of US Air Force Alaskan Command, Lt Gen Robert Davis, described those on board as "dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment".

Lt Gen Davis added: "This is a devastating loss for our military family and the communities we serve." He noted that the military's primary focus is providing support to the families and colleagues of the victims, while thanking search and recovery teams for their swift response.

Officials have not yet confirmed the specific purpose of the flight or the identities of the victims, stating that names will be released once all next of kin have been notified.

An official investigation into the cause of the crash is currently under way by Alaskan Command and civil aviation authorities. I'll be following this closely and will update you as soon as further details are confirmed.