Former Senator Ted Stevens was Passenger on Downed Alaska Flight - Updated

Update: It's been confirmed that former Senator Ted Stevens died in the plane crash. Fox News reported:

Former Sen. Ted Stevens was killed in a plane crash southwest of Anchorage Monday night, a spokesman for the family told Fox News.

The 86-year-old veteran lawmaker was the longest serving Republican senator in U.S. history when he left office after losing his seat in the 2008 election.

At a press conference it was announced that four survivors were transported to Dellingham.

It was also reported that Sean O'Keefe survived the crash.


Update: It's been reported that Stevens was killed in the crash, however, those reports are unconfirmed as of 2:00 ET.



There was a deadly plane crash in Alaska Monday evening and it's been reported that former Senator Ted Stevens was on board, along with former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe.

AP reported:

It was unclear whether Stevens or O'Keefe were among the dead.

Reports from officials in Alaska were that nine people were aboard the aircraft and that "it appears that there are five fatalities," NTSB spokesman Ted Lopatkiewicz told The Associated Press in Washington.

A U.S. government official told The Associated Press that Alaska authorities have been told that Stevens, a former longtime Republican senator, was on the plane. The official, who spoke on grounds of anonymity, says Stevens' condition is unknown.

The federal official declined to be publicly identified because the crash response and investigation are under way.

The crash occurred in a remote area, which is impacting rescue efforts. A few rescue workers are reportedly on the ground assisting the survivors of the crash. Weather conditions are making it difficult for more rescuers to make it to the scene.

Fox News just reported live that they were told the situation looks "bleak."

Update: Fox News just reported that Stevens and O'Keefe were said to have been traveling with their sons.

Cross posted from The Lonely Conservative