Dorothy

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.

The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. It’s part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, the statement from Alaskan Command said.

The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. It is part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, the statement from Alaskan Command said.

The airport is a private military site. The radar site is managed by the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center. It’s part of a network of remote radar sites that tracks aircraft operating in Alaska’s airspace and along its borders, the statement from Alaskan Command said.

The radar site is part of a network that tracks aircraft in Alaskan airspace and near its borders.

The Cape Newenham site on Alaska's south-west coast is part of the Alaska Radar System, a network of remote sites that monitor aircraft approaching or operating in Alaskan airspace.

Clint Johnson, the National Transportation Safety Board’s Alaska region chief, said two pilots and six passengers were on board. No names were immediately released, but two U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees were among the passengers, the Joint Base Elemdorf-Richardson, a military facility in Anchorage, said in a statement.

The military statement said that following the crash, search and rescue teams landed near the site and ultimately confirmed there were no survivors.

The small plane struck the tail of the hovering helicopter, killing the Cessna pilot and sending both aircraft to the ground in pieces.

An email was sent to the company Friday morning seeking comment. “I join Alaskans in offering condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham,” Murkowski posted Thursday night. “I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots. I appreciate the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB, Alaska State Troopers, and the Rescue Coordination Center for responding to the site. Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”

“I join Alaskans in condolences as we learn of the plane crash in Cape Newenham today. I’ve traveled extensively with Security Aviation throughout Alaska, and have met many of their experienced pilots,” she said. “Alaska is praying for those on board, their loved ones, and the team at Security Aviation.”

Two of the victims on the plane were members of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, which chartered the flight. Six passengers and two pilots with flight company Security Aviation were on the flight.