US plane with 10 onboard goes missing over Alaska, search operations underway

Search and rescue teams have started looking for 10 people who were on a regional flight that went missing on Thursday afternoon, according to local and state officials.

The Cessna plane, run by Bering Air, was travelling from Unalakleet to Nome, according to the Alaska State Troopers. The aircraft was overdue and had gone missing, with nine passengers and a pilot on board, as mentioned in a message on its website.

Search operations and weather conditions

The Nome Volunteer Fire Department was carrying out ground searches from Nome and White Mountain but was restricted in conducting air searches due to bad weather and poor visibility, as stated on Facebook.


The US Coast Guard and US Air Force then joined the effort, planning flights to survey the area and attempt to locate the missing aircraft, the department said. Bering Air, which is based in Nome, serves over 30 local communities, according to its website.

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Where was the plane last seen?

The missing Cessna 208B Grand Caravan in Alaska was last seen over Norton Sound at 3:16 pm, about 12 miles offshore. The exact location remains unknown, and search efforts are ongoing.

Due to poor weather, the public was urged not to start their own search parties. The Coast Guard deployed a HC-130 with special equipment to help locate the plane in low-visibility conditions. Bering Air staff are assisting with the search and gathering necessary information.

US air safety under scrutiny

The search comes amid increased scrutiny of US air safety, as investigators look into two deadly incidents in recent weeks: a midair collision between a US military Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, DC, which killed 67 people, and the crash of a medevac jet in Philadelphia that resulted in seven fatalities.

Hospitals on alert

Local hospitals are preparing to respond if needed, with the Norton Sound Health Corporation ready for a community medical emergency. The Norton Sound Regional Hospital has also set up a family centre for the loved ones of the passengers awaiting news.

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Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska commented on the incident, saying that reports indicated a plane may be missing on its way to Nome. He expressed his thoughts and prayers for the passengers, their families, and the rescue teams.

FAQs:

1. What was the weather condition around the area on Thursday?
As of Thursday evening, there was light snow and freezing drizzle around Nome Airport. At one point, visibility was down to only half a mile, with forecasts of wind gusts up to 35 mph overnight.


2. Who are the Alaska State Troopers?
The Alaska State Troopers (AST) is a division of the Alaska Department of Public Safety responsible for law enforcement across the state.