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EADS North America CEO Status Unknown After Plane Crash
EADS North America CEO Sean O'Keefe was on an aircraft that crashed in Alaska last night. He was among several guests traveling with former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK) on a personal fishing trip, according to an EADS official. O'Keefe's son was thought to be on board as well.
CNN is reporting that five of the nine people onboard died. The whereabouts of the others are unknown. News reports indicate that several people on the ground were already at the site when emergency personnel arrived.
The crash apparently occurred around 8 pm Alaska time, or about midnight Eastern time. The aircraft was a DeHavilland DHC-3T, which is known for handling well at slow speeds. It crashed about 10 miles northwest of Aleknagik.
Apparently, there was inclement weather around the time of the crash. Bad weather also has been hampering rescue efforts, although some medical personnel made it to the crash site.
O'Keefe is the point person for one of EADS's biggest military campaigns. The North America wing of the company is again locked in competition against Boeing for the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition. The winner will build 179 refuelers for the U.S. Air Force to replace KC-135s.
Ralph Crosby and David Oliver, chairman of the board and chief operating officer (respectively) are stepping in for the time being to manage issues at the company. EADS North America spokesman Guy Hicks declined to comment on a succession plan should O'Keefe have died in the crash.
Stevens chaired the Senate Appropriations Committee from 1997-2005.