Ted Stevens died in Alaska plane crash

New York (GaeaTimes.com) - Former U.S. Senator, 86 years old Ted Stevens died in a plane crash in a remote location about 325 miles southwest of Anchorage near Dillingham in Alaska on 9th August, 2010 at night, Local television station KTUU confirmed it on 10th August, 2010. KTUU quoted Dave Dittman, a former aide to the senator, as saying he was among the dead.

Five people died in this plane crash, reported by National Transportation Safety Board spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz. There were conflicting reports about how many people were aboard the plane. Federal safety officials said early information indicated nine people were aboard and up to five were killed, while another source close to the matter said only eight were aboard and five were dead.

Former NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe was also on the flight, according to defense contractor EADS North America. O’Keefe is the current chief executive of the U.S. based division of the European firm. But it was unclear if he was among the dead.

Alaska National Guard spokesman Maj. Guy Hayes said the Guard was called to the area about 20 miles north of Dillingham at about 7 p.m. on 9th August, 2010 after a passing aircraft saw the wreckage. The bad weather made the rescuers little bit late.

Previously, Stevens was one of two survivors in a 1978 plane crash at Anchorage International Airport that killed his wife, Ann, and several others. But this time he could not survived.

The plane was registered to Anchorage-based communications company GCI. The firm owns the Agulowak Lodge where Stevens was traveling ON 9TH August, 2010. The investigation for the crash is under way. Probably due to the bad weather, the plane crashed into the area which is full of mountains and lakes.