Sean O’ Keefe, former chief of NASA, a man familiar with handling crises, and former U.S. Senator, Ted Stevens, were confirmed passengers on a small plane that crashed yesterday in Alaska. The crash killed 5 of the 9 passengers–rumors and conflicting reports have followed, stating that both men were killed, and also that both men survived.
CBS News is now reporting that Senator Stevens was killed in the crash, while reports on the status of Sean O’ Keefe are still in the air.
Ted Stevens was Alaska’s most popular politician, pre-Sarah Palin, serving in the U.S. Senate for four decades. Like so many politicians, it was scandal that cost him his seat, yet all charges against him were dismissed. He was affectionately known for over 40 years in Alaska as “Uncle Ted,” and was named the “Alaskan of the Century” in 2000.
Stevens was no stranger to air traffic accidents. He was involved in a Learjet accident in 1978 that killed many on board, including his first wife.
Dave Dittman, a family friend and former aide to the U.S. Senator released a statement that the beloved Ted Stevens was among the 5 killed in the crash.
The only confirmation or report about former NASA chief Sean O’ Keefe is that he was on board the flight. O’Keefe, presently an executive for the European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co. (EADS), served for NASA from 2001-2005, and during the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003.
The plane carrying the 9 passengers was a De Havilland DHC-3T, a model popular for its variations to land on land and/or water.
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