(CNN) -- Former NASA chief Sean O'Keefe was a passenger on the plane that crashed in Alaska, according to EADS North America, where he is now the chief executive officer. His condition was not known.
"Sean O'Keefe, EADS North America's CEO, was a passenger on a private aircraft that crashed in Alaska last night. Local authorities are reporting that there are survivors and a rescue operation is underway. No other details are available at this time," said Guy Hicks, EADS North America spokesman.
O'Keefe had a long career in the government and higher education, most recently serving as NASA administrator from December 2001 until his resignation in February 2005.
Before heading NASA, O'Keefe served for 11 months as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, overseeing the preparation, management and administration of the federal budget, according to his biography on NASA's website.
From 1996-2001, O'Keefe was the Louis A. Bantle Professor of Business and Government Policy, an endowed chair at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He also served as the director of National Security Studies, a partnership program for senior military and civilian officials held by Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University, the NASA website said.
He was previously a business administration professor and an assistant to the senior vice president for research and dean of the Graduate School at the Pennsylvania State University. CNN
