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Authorities investigate Alaska plane crash after wreckage found on sea ice near Nome.
NOME, Alaska — The search for a missing Alaska plane has ended in tragedy, as the wreckage of a Bering Air commuter aircraft was discovered Friday on sea ice near Nome, confirming the deaths of all 10 individuals aboard. The crash, described as one of Alaska’s deadliest aviation disasters in 25 years, has devastated the tight-knit communities of Nome and Unalakleet.
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, a single-engine turboprop, departed Unalakleet on Thursday afternoon with nine passengers and one pilot. It was on a scheduled commuter flight to Nome when it lost communication with air traffic control approximately 12 miles offshore.
The wreckage was located nearly 24 hours later, about 34 miles southeast of Nome, after an exhaustive air and ground search.
According to the Associated Press (AP), the U.S. Coast Guard led the recovery operation, deploying a helicopter to the crash site, where rescue swimmers confirmed that no survivors were found. Debris and shattered parts of the aircraft were scattered across the ice, as seen in images released by officials.
“This is a heartbreaking loss,” U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said during an evening news conference. “It’s hard to accept the reality of what has happened.”
🔗 Read the initial report on the search for the missing Alaska plane here.
01
of 07Harsh Conditions Challenge Recovery Efforts
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department, Alaska State Troopers, and multiple federal agencies assisted in the search, working under difficult conditions as bad weather, unstable ice, and extreme cold made operations dangerous.
Jim West, Chief of the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, explained that the unstable ice conditions were a major obstacle.
“They are on the ice as we speak,” West said Friday. “The conditions out there are dynamic, and so we’ve got to do it safely and as quickly as we can.”
Officials reported that the site had “young ice,” which is thin, slushy, and unstable, making access difficult and hazardous. With worsening weather forecasted within 18 hours, authorities shifted focus from search to recovery, trying to retrieve victims and aircraft evidence before conditions deteriorated further.
02
of 07What Caused the Plane to Crash?
While investigators have not yet determined the cause, initial radar data from the U.S. Civil Air Patrol indicated that at approximately 3:18 p.m. on Thursday, the plane suddenly lost altitude and speed before disappearing from radar.
Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble said no distress signals were received before impact.
“What that event is, I can’t speculate to,” he said.
Normally, emergency locator transmitters (ELTs) are triggered upon impact, especially if exposed to seawater. However, no ELT signals were received, raising questions about the final moments of the flight and whether mechanical or environmental factors played a role.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has deployed nine aviation safety specialists from multiple states to investigate. Their analysis will focus on flight data, pilot communications, aircraft maintenance records, and weather conditions at the time of the crash.
03
of 07Nome and Unalakleet Mourn the Loss
The loss of 10 lives in one of Alaska’s deadliest aviation crashes has shaken the community, with many families left grieving. Prayer services and vigils were held in Nome and Unalakleet, bringing residents together in mourning.
Nome Mayor John Handeland spoke through tears as he addressed the community.
“Nome is a strong community, and in challenging times, we come together and support each other,” Handeland said. “I expect the outpouring of support to continue as we work to recover from this tragic event.”
Among the victims were two employees of a nonprofit tribal health organization, traveling for work. The names of the victims have not been released, pending notification of family members.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy called the crash a “tragic day for Alaska”, reminding residents of the risks of aviation in remote regions.
04
of 07Alaska’s Dependence on Small Aircraft
Alaska relies heavily on air travel, as many communities lack road access and depend on small commuter aircraft for daily transportation, medical services, and supplies.
Bering Air, the airline operating the flight, serves 32 villages from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet. Many communities in this region rely on air not just for transportation, but also for emergency medical evacuations, mail delivery, and even high school sports teams traveling to games.
Unalakleet, a small coastal village, is a key checkpoint along the famous Iditarod Trail—a grueling 1,000-mile sled dog race that crosses the frozen Norton Sound before finishing in Nome.
While aviation is a lifeline for these remote areas, it also comes with significant risks, as Alaska has one of the highest rates of small aircraft crashes in the U.S.
05
of 07Aviation Accidents on the Rise?
The Alaska plane crash is the third major U.S. aviation accident in just eight days, raising new safety concerns in air travel.
- Jan. 29: A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.
- Jan. 31: A medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, killing six people on board and one person on the ground.
Federal agencies are now facing mounting pressure to investigate these incidents and determine if additional safety measures are needed.
06
of 07What Comes Next?
As Nome, Unalakleet, and Alaska at large mourn this devastating loss, officials continue to recover remains and preserve crash site evidence for investigators.
The NTSB’s findings will be critical in determining what led to the crash—and whether new aviation safety regulations may be necessary to prevent future tragedies.
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07
of 07About This Investigation
For official updates on the Alaska plane crash investigation, visit:
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): ntsb.gov
- U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Reports: uscg.mil
- Alaska Department of Public Safety: dps.alaska.gov
