U.S. Military Identifies Servicemember in Alaska Plane Crash
The U.S. military has identified the servicemember involved in last week’s plane crash in western Alaska as 2nd Lieutenant Leah R. Borsich. Aviation authorities are currently investigating the cause of the fatal incident.
Borsich, aged 23, was serving as a project programmer with the 611th Civil Engineer Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, located in Anchorage. This information was confirmed in a statement released by U.S. forces based in Alaska on Monday.
The tragic event occurred on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of eight individuals. A Cessna 441 charter aircraft crashed during its approach to the Cape Newenham Long Range Radar Site Airport. This site is a remote U.S. Air Force-operated base situated approximately 450 miles west of Alaska’s largest city.
“Those on board were dedicated professionals carrying out a vital mission in a demanding environment,” remarked the top U.S. commander in Alaska. However, specific details regarding the flight’s purpose remain undisclosed.
Among the victims were two employees from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who had chartered the aircraft. Clint Johnson, the Alaska chief for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), stated that the crash claimed the lives of two pilots and six passengers.
Cape Newenham, located on the Bering Sea, is part of a network of radar stations across Canada and Alaska. These stations are essential for detecting potential threats such as missiles or aircraft that may approach North America. Management of these radar stations falls under the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson alongside the U.S. 11th Air Force.
Colonel Timothy Meerstein, commander of the Pacific Air Forces Regional Support Center, praised Borsich as a “positive leader” who significantly contributed to their command. “She led with professionalism, compassion and purpose, and her presence strengthened the bonds between the people around her. She made a lasting impact on our team, and we are grateful for her service and commitment to our nation,” Meerstein remarked.
On Sunday, NTSB investigators arrived at the crash site to document the scene and examine the wreckage. An image released by the NTSB shows an employee inspecting the burnt remains of the aircraft, with the base’s runway visible in the backdrop.
The NTSB plans to release initial findings regarding the crash within three weeks, followed by a comprehensive report detailing the likely cause over the next two years.