Authorities are frantically searching for an airplane carrying 10 people who went missing en route to Nome, Alaska. The Bering Air flight from Unalakleet to Nome failed to land as scheduled at 4 p.m. on Thursday. This sparked local and federal officials to spring swiftly to locate the aircraft, according to the Alaska Department of Public Safety.
Search and rescue crews from Alaska State Troopers and the National Transportation Safety Board are currently working to identify the plane's last known coordinates. Reports from the Nome Volunteer Fire Department indicate adverse weather and visibility problems possibly impacted the Bering Air flight.
“We are actively conducting ground searches from Nome and White Mountain,” the fire department stated on social media. “We have as much updated information on the event as possible.” Support for the search is also coming from the Alaskan National Guard and the Coast Guard, but fire officials are cautioning against individuals forming their own search parties due to extreme weather conditions, which could jeopardize safety even more.
“Medics with Norton Sound Health Corporation are on standby to potentially assist the aircraft's occupants,” Anchorage Daily News reported. Early Friday morning, with no confirmed updates, the plane was classified as “overdue” but had not yet been labeled as a crash or accident, officials stated.
The lost aircraft is identified as the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. It departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. local time and disappeared from radar just 10 minutes before its anticipated arrival. David Olson, Bering Air's Director of Operations, confirmed to the media, “The plane spoke to Air Traffic Control indicating it intended to enter a holding pattern as it awaited runway clearance.” Just before disappearing, it was reported over Norton Sound, approximately 12 miles offshore.
Currently, search crews from various agencies, including the Coast Guard's Hercules HC-130 and operations from Elmendorf Air Force Base, are deployed to locate the missing plane. Despite their efforts, weather conditions are proving challenging for air searches. On Thursday, the region was hit hard with heavy snowfall and low visibility, with some reports estimating visibility as low as half a mile.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department elaborated on the search conditions, pointing out, “Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search.” The fire department is urging the public to refrain from organizing independent search parties due to hazardous conditions. “We have received sufficient offers of help from the community for search missions,” the department continued.
Nome has faced significant weather challenges with reporting temperatures around 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Conditions included light snowfall along with heavy fog, making this search all the more difficult for the teams involved. The National Transportation Safety Board is monitoring the developments, but inspections will not commence until the plane's fate is concluded.
Alaska has seen its fair share of aviation incidents over the years. Notably, the state ranks high when it involves small aircraft accidents, particularly during the winter months when flying becomes risky due to severe weather. With over 80 percent of the communities being inaccessible by road, regional carriers like Bering Air hold tremendous significance for local residents.
Bering Air operates out of Nome and serves 32 surrounding villages, with scheduled flights playing a pivotal role in providing daily essentials — including food and fuel. Nome is known for its historical significance as the finish line for the 1,000-mile Iditarod and has roughly 3,500 residents, whereas Unalakleet is home to around 690 people.
Searching efforts continue as investigators and officials maintain hope for the safe recovery of those missing. Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan shared his sentiments on social media, extending “thoughts and prayers” to the passengers, their families, and the rescue crews engaged amid these exhausting circumstances.
While the weather persists with increasing wind gusts measured at 35 mph, mounted search efforts are resilient to locate the overdue aircraft and its missing passengers. The local community stands on alert, sharing their concerns, and prepared to assist authorities as needed.
This is a developing story, and updates are expected as crews continue their extensive search for Bering Air Flight 445. Reports will focus on locating these individuals and ensuring their safe return home.