A small commuter plane en route to Nome, Alaska, tragically crashed on sea ice, resulting in the loss of all 10 individuals aboard, including nine passengers and a pilot. The Cessna Caravan, operated by Bering Air, lost contact shortly after departing Unalakleet at 2.37 pm on Thursday, amid adverse weather conditions characterised by light snow and fog, with temperatures reaching -8.3°C.
The US Coast Guard, during a helicopter search for the aircraft, discovered wreckage approximately 19 kilometres offshore and 48 kilometres southeast of Nome. Despite being equipped with an emergency locator beacon designed to transmit distress signals upon contact with seawater, no such alerts were received.
The plane’s disappearance adds to a concerning trend, marking the third significant aviation incident in the US within just over a week. Alaska’s remote communities heavily rely on air travel, particularly in winter months, with Bering Air servicing numerous villages in the region.
In response to the tragedy, local and state officials, including US Senators and the Alaska Governor, expressed condolences and committed to supporting the affected families and rescue operations. Community prayer vigils are also planned to honour those who lost their lives.