Ted Stevens Dies in Plane Crash in Alaska

By | August 10, 2010
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport
Image by substack via Flickr

The NY Times is reporting that former Senator Ted Stevens has died in a small plane crash in Alaska last night. Five of the nine people onboard the DeHavilland DHC-3T are reported to have perished. The plane was on its way to a lodge near  Lake Aleknagik. The North American head of operations for EADS and former administrator of NASA, Sean O’Keefe, was also onboard.

Stevens had also survived a LearJet crash in 1978, that killed five of seven people onboard, including his wife, on arrival at Anchorage Airport, which now bears his name. Prior to the incident in 1978, Stevens apparently spoke of the premonition he would die in a plane crash. Stevens will be forever remembered for his statement calling the internet a series of tubes.

Our condolences to the families of those onboard.

Update: A friend who had said Stevens had perished has now said he has not received any confirmation of such. We will continue to monitor this.

Update 2: CNN has now confirmed the death of former Senator Stevens. There are estimated to be three survivors, but their identities are a mystery.