U.S. Military Identifies Servicemember in Fatal Alaska Plane Crash

The U.S. military has named the servicemember killed in a recent plane crash in western Alaska as 2nd Lieutenant Leah R. Borsich. Aviation authorities are currently investigating the cause of the tragic event.

Borsich, 23, served as a project programmer with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. This information was released by U.S. forces based in Alaska on Monday.

On Thursday, a total of eight individuals lost their lives when a Cessna 441 charter aircraft went down while attempting to land at Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport. This remote base is operated by the U.S. Air Force and is located roughly 450 miles from Alaska’s largest city.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed it had chartered the aircraft. Among the deceased were two of its employees. The crash involved two pilots and six passengers, according to Clint Johnson, the Alaska chief for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the agency responsible for investigating civil transportation accidents.

Though officials have not disclosed the flight’s purpose, the top U.S. commander in Alaska noted that those onboard were “dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment.” Cape Newenham is a part of a chain of radar stations across Canada and Alaska that detect potential threats, such as missiles or aircraft, approaching North America. The Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center manages these radar stations and is located at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, alongside the U.S. 11th Air Force headquarters.

Colonel Timothy Meerstein, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, praised Borsich as a “positive leader who brought tremendous energy and enthusiasm to our command.” He added, “She led with professionalism, compassion, and purpose, and her presence strengthened the bonds among those around her. She made a lasting impact on our team, and we are grateful for her service and commitment to our nation.”

NTSB investigators arrived at the crash site on Sunday to document the scene and examine the wreckage. The agency released an image showing an employee walking near the burnt remains of the aircraft, with the base’s runway visible in the background.

The NTSB plans to publish its initial findings on the crash within three weeks. A complete report on the incident’s likely cause is expected within the next two years.

This is an ongoing story and updates will follow.