Alaska Authorities Intensify Search for Missing Passenger Plane with 10 On Board
A Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, carrying nine passengers and one pilot, has gone missing over Alaska’s Norton Sound. The aircraft, which departed from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. local time on Thursday, February 6, 2025, was en route to Nome when it lost contact approximately 40 minutes into the flight. Its last known position was around 12 miles offshore, flying over the icy waters of Norton Sound.
Search and Rescue Operations Underway
The U.S. Coast Guard, National Guard, and Alaska State Troopers have launched an extensive search and rescue operation. A combination of aerial and ground search teams are scouring the region, battling adverse weather conditions that include light snow, dense fog, and freezing temperatures. These harsh conditions have significantly hampered visibility, complicating efforts to locate the missing aircraft.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department has urged residents not to form independent search parties due to safety concerns. Search operations are being meticulously coordinated to ensure both the effectiveness of the mission and the safety of all involved.
About the Aircraft and Bering Air
The missing plane, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, is a single-engine turboprop aircraft commonly used for regional flights in Alaska. Bering Air, based in Nome, operates flights to 32 communities across western Alaska. As of now, Bering Air has not released an official statement regarding the incident.
This incident is particularly concerning as it marks the third major aviation event in the U.S. within the past eight days. On January 29, a commercial jetliner collided with a military helicopter over Washington D.C., resulting in 67 fatalities. Just days later, on January 31, a medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, claiming seven lives.
Support for Families and Public Assistance
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the missing flight to contact the Alaska Department of Public Safety. Families of the passengers are receiving support from the Norton Sound Health Corporation, which has established a family center at the regional hospital in Nome.
For continuous updates and official information, visit CNN’s coverage of the incident.
Conclusion
As search efforts continue, the focus remains on locating the aircraft and ensuring the safety of those on board. The resilience and coordination among rescue teams highlight the determination to bring closure to the families affected by this tragic event. [USnewsSphere.com]
