Former NASA chief survives plane crash

The chief executive of European aerospace giant EADS' North American unit, Sean O'Keefe, survived a plane crash in southwestern Alaska, a source briefed on the matter said on Tuesday.

O'Keefe and his son survived the crash, which killed former US Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska and several others when the plane went down near Bristol Bay on Monday night, the source said, declining further identification. O'Keefe, 54, a former US Navy secretary and former Stevens aide, assumed responsibilities as chief executive of EADS' North American unit in November. (Reuters)