Former Senator Ted Stevens Feared Dead in Alaskan Plane Crash

A plane carrying former U.S. Senator Ted Stevens and former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe has crashed in remote southwest Alaska Monday night, August 9. Rescue crews are still searching for the wreckage, although there are local citizens on the scene providing assistance. It is believed there are both survivors and fatalities, but it is unknown if Sen. Ted Stevens is alive or dead.

Sen. Ted Stevens, 86, served in the Senate for 40 years before becoming embroiled in corruption scandal. He was brought to trial, but ultimately acquitted because of prosecutorial misconduct. Sean O'Keefe is the chief executive of EADS North America, a defense contractor based out of Virginia.

Rescue crews are having difficulty getting to the scene because of inclement weather. The crash apparently was reported at approximately 7:00 pm local Alaskan time on Monday, August 9. Visibility was poor, with heavy rain and fog in the area. At this time, it is unknown who else was aboard, including Sen. Ted Stevens' wife.