The Bering Air Caravan, a small passenger aircraft carrying 10 people, has gone missing while flying across Alaska’s Norton Sound south of the Arctic Circle. The plane was en route from Unalakleet to Nome on Thursday afternoon when it disappeared from radar less than an hour after takeoff.
David Olson, the director of operations for Bering Air, confirmed that the rescue teams are still working to locate the missing plane. The U.S. Coast Guard and other search crews have joined forces to search for any signs of the plane.
This is the third major aviation accident in the last eight days in the U.S. According to Alaska’s Department of Public Safety. The plane was carrying nine passengers plus the pilot.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski addressed the situation on X, expressing concern for those onboard, “Our prayers are with all those on the plane missing out of western Alaska, the Bering Air family, and the entire community of Nome.”
Weather conditions may have played a role in the disappearance of the aircraft. According to the National Weather Service, it was 17 degrees with light snow and fog in Unalakleet when the plane took off. Given the Below-Freezing temperatures, airplanes are usually the main source of travel in Alaska.
Another Alaska Senator, Dan Sullivan, shared his concerns on X, “We are hearing reports of a possible missing plane en route to Nome. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, their families and the rescue crew.”
As the search continues, there has yet to be an update on the names of the passengers onboard nor any coordinates of the plane.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department released a statement on social media regarding the search, “Crews are still searching on the ground, canvassing as much area as possible.”
More updates to come.
