A commuter plane that crashed on sea ice off Alaska, killing all 10 people onboard, was half a ton overweight for the weather conditions, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a preliminary report released on March 19, 2025. The report indicated the plane was too heavy for conditions that typically lead to icing at the speed and altitude it was flying. The unfortunate incident occurred on February 6, making it one of Alaska’s deadliest plane crashes this century and marking the third significant aviation mishap in the U.S. within just eight days.
The Bering Air single-engine turboprop aircraft was on its regular commuter flight from the small community of Unalakleet to Nome, covering a distance of approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers). Authorities lost contact with the plane less than an hour after takeoff. David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air, confirmed that the Cessna Caravan went missing approximately 30 miles (50 kilometers) from its destination.
According to the NTSB, the plane’s estimated gross weight at departure was about 9,865 pounds (4,475 kilograms). This weight exceeded the maximum allowable takeoff gross weight—specifically 8,807 pounds (3,995 kilograms)—for flights expected to encounter icing conditions by around 1,058 pounds (480 kilograms). Even after accounting for the use of a payload extender, which had been employed to enhance the aircraft's maximum weight capacity, the plane still remained 803 pounds over the limit for safe operating conditions.
Weather conditions across the route were challenging, with icing conditions forecasted, along with snowfall and impending freezing rain expected in Nome. NTSB Chairperson Jennifer Homendy pointed out that investigators are exploring all weather-related factors and information relayed to the pilot about the adverse conditions prior to the crash.
Contact with the flight was lost shortly after air traffic control informed the pilot that the runway in Nome would be closed for about 15 minutes for de-icing. An NTSB report indicated that a controller noted, “if the pilot wanted to ‘slow down a little bit’ to prevent the flight from arriving before the runway reopened, that would be fine.” The pilot acknowledged this information, but shortly thereafter, the plane found itself in dire trouble.
The pilot was advised to descend to 4,000 feet (1,219 meters) at his discretion just moments before the autopilot disengaged at 99 knots. The aircraft then nose-dived rapidly, losing airspeed and altitudes, ultimately dropping to approximately 70 knots before descending to about 3,100 feet (945 meters). Final satellite tracking data recorded the plane just before it crashed, indicating it last reported at an altitude of 200 feet shortly before disappearing.
The 5-year-old Cessna Caravan was outfitted with an anti-icing system designed to prevent the accumulation of ice on the wings and tail. Investigators are scrutinizing whether the system functioned effectively leading up to the crash. Preflight inspections reportedly checked the quantity of de-icing fluid onboard, but there is no requirement for the pilot to document its addition to the aircraft. During discussions at the Unalakleet airport, a worker informed the pilot that de-icing fluid was available, but the pilot claimed the system's tank was already full.
Following an extensive search, authorities discovered the wreckage the day after the crash on a drifting ice floe, confirming that the pilot and all nine passengers had died. The plane was carrying individuals aboard on what was described as a routine commuter flight.
This accident is especially painful for communities in Alaska, where small aircraft serve as vital links connecting remote areas and are relied upon heavily by residents for numerous daily activities. These flights are essential for accessing medical appointments, groceries, family visits, and even attending sporting events. This tragedy reverberates deeply among those who view aviation as a lifeline to isolated regions of the state.
Adding to the burden of this tragedy is the recent history of aviation incidents in the U.S. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River on January 29, resulting in the deaths of 67 individuals. Earlier, on January 31, a medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing all six people aboard and a civilian on the ground. As noted by the NTSB, this incident marks another critical moment in aviation safety discussions across the nation.
In light of these recent events, there is a heightened focus on the importance of adhering to weight restrictions and operating protocols, especially when flying in adverse weather conditions. Whitney Power Wilson, an aviation accident litigation lawyer and pilot based in Anchorage, highlighted the gravity of such concerns by stating, “Icing should be a concern for all pilots, but especially for pilots of smaller aircraft and who frequently operate in conditions conducive to icing.”
As investigations continue and the final report is compiled, the situation remains fluid. While the data collected thus far points to critical safety considerations, the final conclusions will not be published for another year or more. Meanwhile, all eyes remain on the NTSB as the agency will clarify the full details surrounding the crash and provide insights to prevent similar accidents in the future.
This heartbreaking incident has resonated deeply, leaving families mourning and communities questioning air safety amid a backdrop of recent aviation tragedies. All those affected by this accident are longing for answers and a better understanding of the factors that contributed to this tragic loss of life.
