Search Underway for Missing Plane With 10 Aboard in Alaska \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A search is underway for a Bering Air plane that vanished over Alaska’s Norton Sound while carrying 10 people. The single-engine Cessna Caravan was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it lost contact. The FBI, Coast Guard, and Alaska Air National Guard are using aircraft, ground teams, and cellphone tracking data to locate the missing plane. Severe winter conditions have made the search difficult, though improving weather is expected to aid rescue efforts.
Alaska Plane Disappearance: Quick Look
- Bering Air’s Cessna Caravan vanished Thursday afternoon en route from Unalakleet to Nome.
- The plane carried nine passengers and one pilot when contact was lost over Norton Sound.
- FBI agents are tracking cellphone data to assist in the search.
- The Coast Guard, Air National Guard, and volunteer crews have launched air and ground search efforts.
- Severe weather initially hindered search flights, but conditions have since improved.
- The missing plane is the third major U.S. aviation incident in eight days.
- Alaska senators and local officials expressed support for rescue efforts.
Deep Look
Authorities have launched a major search and rescue operation for a Bering Air Cessna Caravan that disappeared while flying over frozen Alaskan waters with 10 people on board. The aircraft was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome, a 150-mile route across the rugged and remote terrain of western Alaska, when it lost communication on Thursday afternoon.
Search Efforts and Harsh Weather Conditions
Search teams have been scouring miles of tundra and ice-covered sea in an attempt to locate the missing aircraft. FBI agents have joined the effort, using cellphone tracking data to pinpoint possible locations. Meanwhile, the Alaska Air National Guard dispatched a HC-130 search plane, and the U.S. Coast Guard deployed a C-130 aircraft to aid in the effort.
The operation initially faced severe weather setbacks, with a rescue helicopter forced to turn back Thursday night due to heavy snowfall and high winds. Authorities urged local residents not to conduct their own search efforts, warning of dangerous conditions in the region.
By Friday morning, the Coast Guard resumed aerial surveillance, and ground search teams on snowmobiles began covering stretches of coastline. Additionally, the Coast Guard planned to drop a buoy into the sea to monitor ice drift and assist with navigation during the search.
The National Weather Service reported partly sunny conditions with freezing temperatures of 16°F (-8.9°C), providing a critical window for search operations to continue through Saturday morning.
Details of the Disappearance
According to Alaska’s Department of Public Safety, the Cessna Caravan departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. Thursday under light snow and fog, with temperatures around 17°F (-8.3°C).
The aircraft was last detected about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Nome, according to transponder data reviewed by the U.S. Coast Guard. Contact was lost less than an hour after departure.
The missing plane was operating at full passenger capacity, and Bering Air staff immediately activated emergency response protocols, said David Olson, director of operations for the airline.
“Our team is working hard to coordinate emergency assistance and search efforts,” Olson stated.
Aviation Challenges in Rural Alaska
In remote regions of Alaska, small aircraft serve as the primary mode of transportation, especially during winter when treacherous weather conditions make ground travel difficult. Bering Air operates flights to 32 villages across western Alaska, using hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet to provide essential air travel for residents.
Flight tracking services showed that two Bering Air planes were conducting a grid search pattern along the coastline on Friday morning, as search teams continued scanning the area.
Aviation Safety Concerns After Recent Crashes
The disappearance of the Bering Air flight marks the third major U.S. aviation incident in just over a week.
- On January 29, a commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.
- On January 31, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, resulting in seven fatalities.
The series of aviation accidents has raised concerns about flight safety, particularly in rural and high-risk areas like Alaska, where harsh weather and isolated landscapes create challenging flying conditions.
Community Response and Support from Officials
Alaska’s political leaders have voiced their support for the passengers, their families, and the search teams.
- Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan expressed their concern on X (formerly Twitter), offering thoughts and prayers to those affected.
- U.S. Representative Nick Begich pledged to assist the Nome community in any way possible.
- Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy assured residents that state resources were being mobilized to support the ongoing rescue efforts.
Unalakleet and Nome: Remote Communities on the Iditarod Trail
Unalakleet, a small village of about 690 people, is known for its role in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which crosses the frozen Norton Sound each year. The town, located 395 miles (640 kilometers) northwest of Anchorage, relies heavily on small aircraft for daily transportation.
Nome, located just south of the Arctic Circle, was founded during the Gold Rush and serves as the final stop on the 1,000-mile (1,610-kilometer) Iditarod Race. Due to its harsh winters and remote location, Nome depends on air travel for supplies, medical services, and commerce.
Conclusion: A Race Against Time
As search efforts intensify, officials remain hopeful that the missing passengers and pilot will be located. The next 24 hours will be critical, with weather conditions expected to remain stable until Saturday morning.
With the FBI, Coast Guard, and Alaska Air National Guard working together, authorities are racing against time to locate the missing plane before worsening conditions make the search more difficult.
Search Underway Search Underway
