A Bering Air flight carrying 10 people has been reported missing in Alaska. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, operating as Flight 445, departed from Unalakleet Airport at 2:37 p.m. local time on Thursday, en route to Nome Airport. Contact was lost less than an hour into the flight, with the aircraft’s last known position approximately 12 miles offshore over Norton Sound.
Flight Details and Initial Conditions
The missing flight embarked on a brief journey from Unalakleet to Nome, typically concluded within an hour. The U.S. Coast Guard reported losing communication when the plane was approximately 12 miles offshore, last tracked at 5,300 feet after covering over 70% of its intended route.
Searchers are looking for a Bering Air plane that was reported missing Thursday on its way from Unalakleet to Nome with 10 people aboard, Alaska State Troopers said. https://t.co/KJeX4GBUzU pic.twitter.com/vrHlh5CDYv
— Anchorage Daily News (@adndotcom) February 7, 2025
The pilot intended to enter a holding pattern due to runway clearance requirements. As of early Friday, updates regarding the plane’s whereabouts remain scarce, prompting continued efforts by search teams.
Efforts on the Ground and in the Air
Search and rescue operations are intensifying, activating the National and Coast Guard support. Currently, extensive scanning by a C-130 Coast Guard plane is underway, with searches being coordinated just off Nome’s coastline. Weather and visibility present significant obstacles, hindering aerial search capabilities in certain areas. Ground searches, managed by the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, cover areas from Nome and White Mountain to mitigate these limitations.
BREAKING NEWS
Bering Air flight carrying 10 people vanishes while flying over AlaskaA flight with 10 people on board has vanished over Alaska, sparking a frantic search.
The Bering Air plane was reported 'overdue' when it failed to arrive in Nome about 4pm local time.
It was… pic.twitter.com/6FoNH1VCqD
— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) February 7, 2025
“We are currently doing an active ground search from Nome and White Mountain and have as much up-to-date information on the event as possible.” – Nome Volunteer Fire Department.
Sen. Dan Sullivan conveyed thoughts and prayers to passengers and their families, illustrating the widespread concern gripping communities and officials. Despite the harsh Alaskan landscape and challenging conditions, rescuers persist undeterred and committed to uncovering any leads on the missing flight.
Alaska’s Aviation Landscape
Alaska’s extremely remote and rugged geography is a known hazard for air travel, attributing to higher accident rates than other states. Many villages lack road access, relying heavily on airplane travel, specifically smaller aircraft like the Bering Air fleet, which consists of around 39 planes and helicopters. These factors are compounded by the turbulent weather typical in the region, contributing further complexities in navigation and emergency response efforts.
“Staff at Bering Air is working hard to gather details, get emergency assistance, search and rescue going.” – David Olson
The broader search area, concerning a 30-mile stretch along Nome’s coastline, has rescue crews on standby, including medical personnel prepared to manage potential fallout from this distressing incident. As the search resumes overnight, authorities emphasize a steadfast commitment to resolving the disappearance of this crucial flight.
Sources:
https://www.the-independent.com/tv/news/missing-alaska-plane-bering-air-flight-radar-b2693986.html
https://apnews.com/article/missing-aircraft-alaska-search-10-people-eb496188285ed54c9a527f658d4ff70a