What happened
Shortly after departing from Elmendorf Air Force Base, an aircraft was performing a flight through instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). During the cruise phase of the mission, the flight crew established communication with Air Traffic Control to request an increase in their assigned altitude. Shortly after this request, the aircraft experienced a loss of control and descended into the Cook Inlet.
Following the disappearance, extensive search and rescue operations were launched to locate the wreckage and the occupants. Despite these intensive efforts, no debris from the plane or any trace of the seven individuals on board was ever recovered.
Findings
No specific cause for the loss of control has been officially determined, though the incident occurred while the flight was operating in IMC conditions.