Former Sen. Stevens, Former NASA Admin O'Keefe Reported On Board

ANN RealTime Update, 081010, 1451 EST: Finally... some good news. Credible media reports suggest that two of the survivors of this crash appear to be former NASA Admin Sean O'Keefe and his son. Both are reported to be "pretty banged up" with numerous broken bones but do appear to be in a position to survive their injuries.

 ANN RealTime Update, 081010, 1431 EST: The Associated Press is now quoting family spokespersons in the confirmation of the death of former Senator Ted Stevens. No reports have been confirmed as to the fate of former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. Former Senate Appropriations Committee Chief of Staff Jim Morhard and O'Keefe's son have also been reported to have been on board the flight.

ANN RealTime Update, 081010, 1401 EST: Some media outlets are now reporting that one of the five known to have perished in the Monday evening crash of N455A is believed to be retired Republican Senator Ted Stevens.

Original Report: ANN is monitoring fast-changing reports of a downed DeHavilland floatplane that went down late Monday night in IFR conditions. On board were a reported 9 people including retired Republican Senator Ted Stevens and former NASA Boss Sean O'Keefe (now CEO of EADS North America).

Early media reports suggest that there are at least 5 fatalities but no IDs have been presented. The trip was being made to transport the party to a fishing lodge. Both the aircraft and the lodge were reported to be owned/operated by GCI Communications of Anchorage, AK.

Ted Stevens

The aircraft involved is a heavily modified DeHavilland 'Super Otter' floatplane, equipped with a turboprop powerplant (reportedly a Texas Turbine conversion)... a real workhouse that is pretty much tailor-made for the tough Alaskan conditions that these birds seem to thrive in. The accident sight is 20 NM North of Dillingham, AK, and conditions were described as 'IFR' with low visibilities and ceilings. While Rescue ops have not been able to reach the accident site today, some rescue personnel are reported to have been on site since late last night and have remained with the survivors through the evening.

Sean O'Keefe

An NTSB 'Go' Team has already been dispatched to the scene. An NTSB statement notes that, "At about 8:00 p.m. Alaska Daylight Time, a DeHavilland DHC-3T (N455A) crashed 10 miles northwest of Aleknagik, Alaska. Reports are that 5 of the 9 persons on board died in the accident. Senior air safety investigator Clint Johnson, from the NTSB's Anchorage regional office, will serve as Investigator-in-Charge. He will be assisted by investigators from the Alaska office and from NTSB headquarters in Washington, D.C."

ANN will update the story as verifiable information becomes available...

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.texasturbines.com/ttotter/TTotter.htm