The U.S. Coast Guard has found the wreckage of a Bering Air plane that went missing off Alaska’s western coast. Ten people died, including three whose bodies were found.
Discovery of the Crash Site
On Friday morning, the Coast Guard confirmed they had found wreckage from the Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX. The plane disappeared over Norton Sound the day before. It was carrying nine passengers and a pilot, traveling from Unalakleet to Nome. The plane lost altitude suddenly and vanished from radar at 3:18 p.m.
Before the crash, the pilot spoke with Anchorage Air Traffic Control about waiting for runway clearance. However, no distress signal was sent. The wreckage was found 12 miles offshore and 34 miles southeast of Nome. Lt. Cmdr. Mike Salerno said the crash site was large, making survival unlikely.
Search Efforts Hindered by Weather
Bad weather and poor visibility slowed the search. By Friday, three victims were confirmed dead, and the remaining seven passengers are believed to be deceased. The Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed all passengers were adults traveling on a regular commuter flight.
Air travel in Alaska is very important for reaching remote areas. However, the state has a higher rate of crashes compared to the rest of the country. This tragedy shows how dangerous flying in Alaska’s weather can be.
Investigation Underway
Bering Air, based in Nome, has a fleet of 39 planes and helicopters. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has started an investigation. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy will visit Alaska to oversee the investigation and help with the recovery.
This crash adds to a growing number of accidents in the U.S. Earlier this year, a passenger plane crashed into an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C., causing the deadliest air disaster in two decades. A Medevac jet crash in Philadelphia also caused deaths and injuries.
As rescue operations continue, Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan sent their condolences to the victims’ families. They also praised the Coast Guard and rescue teams for their work in difficult conditions.