EADS official survives plane crash in Alaska

Published 4:15 pm Tuesday, August 10, 2010

UPDATE at bottom …

EADS North America chief executive Sean O’Keefe was a passenger on the plane that crashed in Alaska.

Former Sen. Ted Stevens was also onboard, according to the Associated Press EADS posted a brief statement on its Web site, confirming that O’Keefe, an ex-NASA administrator, was onboard.

An NTSB spokesman told the AP that there were five fatalities from the crash. Nine passengers were onboard. It is unclear whether O’Keefe or Stevens are among the fatalities.

UPDATED: EADS confirmed in a statement that O’Keefe is one of the survivors of the plane crash.

EADS North America chairman Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. issued the following statement:

“It was with a great sense of relief and gratitude that we learned that Sean, and his son, Kevin, survived the aircraft crash in Alaska. We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those less fortunate in this terrible accident.

“We owe a debt of gratitude for the heroic efforts of the members of the rescue crew and others who rushed to the scene. We look forward to Sean’s full recovery and his rapid return to EADS North America.”