The search for a missing plane carrying 10 people from Unalakleet to Nome, Alaska, has led authorities to a devastating discovery. A Cessna 208B, operated by Bering Air, was found 34 miles southeast of Nome on Friday. Inside the wreckage, the bodies of three individuals were recovered. However, the whereabouts of the remaining seven passengers, including the pilot, are still unknown.
The flight, Bering Air Flight 445, disappeared around 3:20 p.m. local time on Thursday, losing communication shortly after it was 12 miles offshore. Authorities have not yet speculated on the cause of the aircraft’s rapid loss of altitude and speed, which occurred at approximately 3:18 p.m.
Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska Army National Guard, and Alaska State Troopers, have been actively involved in the search. However, severe weather conditions, including snow and fog, have hindered rescue operations overnight.
Radar data suggests that something significant occurred onboard the flight just before it lost contact. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has since launched an investigation, and its chair, Jennifer Homendy, is expected to visit Alaska this weekend for further inquiries.
The tragic incident has drawn the focus of both local and national officials, with the Coast Guard offering condolences to the victims’ families while they continue efforts to locate the missing passengers.
The search remains ongoing, with authorities urging the public to stay updated as new information becomes available.
