Alaska Authorities Confirm Missing Plane with 10 Aboard

 

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Alaska Authorities Confirm Missing Plane with 10 Aboard

On Thursday, February 6, a Bering Air Caravan flight traveling from Unalakleet to Nome failed to arrive as expected, prompting concerns. According to a statement from the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS), the plane was reported overdue at approximately 4 p.m. local time. A search is underway for a missing aircraft carrying 10 individuals in Alaska, officials have confirmed.

David Olson, Director of Operations for Bering Air, stated that the aircraft took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m., as reported by local station KTUU. The flight carried one pilot and nine passengers.

The Nome Volunteer Fire Department initially acknowledged the situation on Facebook, writing, "We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan."

They further updated, "We are actively conducting a ground search from Nome and White Mountain, gathering as much current information on the situation as possible."

Due to adverse weather conditions, aerial search efforts remain limited. "National Guard, Coast Guard, and Troopers have been alerted and are participating in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation is on standby," the department stated.

"We ask the public to keep those aboard in their thoughts, but for safety reasons and due to the weather, we advise against forming independent search groups. Families needing support are encouraged to reach out to Norton Sound Health Corporation," the post continued.

Authorities also shared that "the pilot of the plane" had "communicated with Anchorage Air Traffic Control, indicating an intention to enter a holding pattern while awaiting a clear runway." Meanwhile, a C-130 Coast Guard aircraft was "set to survey the area."

Later, an update from the fire department stated, "The C-130 has arrived in the Nome region. While it will not land, it will conduct a grid-pattern search over the shoreline and water in an effort to locate the missing aircraft. The plane is outfitted with advanced search-and-rescue equipment capable of detecting objects and individuals even in zero visibility conditions."

According to a post from the U.S. Coast Guard Alaska maritime division on X, "The aircraft was last tracked 12 miles offshore while en route from Unalakleet to Nome before losing contact."

Flightradar24, a real-time flight tracking service, also posted on X, stating that the last recorded position of the aircraft was at 5,300 feet around 3:16 p.m. The platform noted that the typical flight duration for the route is approximately 47 minutes.

White Mountain Fire Chief Jack Adams told KTUU's Alaska’s News Source that the plane "vanished from radar somewhere along the coastline between Nome and Topkok," explaining that authorities were focusing their search on an estimated "30-mile area."

“They’re prepared to search throughout the night and won’t stop until they locate the aircraft or another team does,” Adams said, according to the outlet. “If nothing is found, we’ll likely organize another crew to assist.”

He also mentioned that the sea ice in the area appeared "disrupted," adding, "We’re hoping the aircraft is on land—ending up in the water would be the worst-case scenario."

“Right now, all aircraft are grounded due to zero visibility. Essentially, you can’t see anything from either the ground or the air, making the search incredibly challenging in the darkness,” Adams continued, as reported by the publication.