The United States has skilled a sequence of aviation incidents in current weeks, elevating considerations amongst vacationers.
Since the beginning of 2025, incidents such because the catastrophic collision close to Washington D.C. and a medical jet crash in Philadelphia have left many questioning concerning the security of flying, regardless of statistics exhibiting that air journey stays protected.
Last week, a aircraft was reported lacking in Alaska with a number of passengers aboard whereas en path to Nome. Soon after, authorities reported that the plane, recognized as Bering Air Flight 445, a Cessna 208B, had crashed.
Below, learn the most recent updates on the scenario involving the Alaska aircraft.
What Happened to the Alaska Plane?
The Alaska Department of Public Safety, State Troopers Public Information Office introduced that it was “contacted by AKRCC in reference to an overdue plane” on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. native time.
Initially, it was unclear what precisely occurred to the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. However, knowledge from FlightRadar 24 confirmed that the aircraft was final noticed over Norton Sound simply after 3:00 p.m. Its place was then misplaced whereas it was roughly 2 miles offshore, based on CNN.
In a Facebook put up, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed it was actively looking for the aircraft on the bottom.
BREAKING: Bering Air flight carrying 10 individuals disappears from radar close to Nome, Alaska pic.twitter.com/0RMCQjNVTe
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 7, 2025
“We are at the moment responding to a report of a lacking Bering Air caravan,” the fireplace division’s assertion learn, “We are at the moment doing an lively floor search from Nome and from White Mountain and have as a lot updated data on the occasion as potential.”
The division additionally famous that it was “restricted on air search” due to the “climate and visibility” within the space. “National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are lively within the search,” the assertion added. “Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by.”
Early Friday, an “merchandise of curiosity” was noticed by an plane concerned within the search efforts, although particulars weren’t instantly accessible, based on Coast Guard Officer Ben McIntyre-Coble throughout a press briefing.
Did the Alaska Plane Crash?
Unfortunately, the aircraft was discovered at a crash web site. Authorities reported that it had crashed into sea ice about 34 miles southeast of Nome, Alaska.
The wreckage of the aircraft was found on Friday, Feb. 7.
What Caused the Alaska Plane Crash?
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, acknowledged on Saturday that it’s nonetheless too early to find out the reason for the crash because the company begins its investigation.
Radar evaluation revealed that round 3:18 p.m. on Thursday, the plane “skilled some form of occasion which brought about them to expertise a fast loss in elevation,” based on McIntyre-Coble.
He famous, “What that occasion is, I can’t speculate to.”
How Many Passengers Were on the Alaska Cessna?
The PIO’s assertion learn, “It was reported {that a} Bering Air Caravan had gone lacking whereas en route from Unalakleet to Nome, with 9 passengers and 1 pilot on board.”
On Saturday, Feb. 8, the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) introduced that restoration efforts on the crash web site had been performed by the National Transportation Safety Board, Alaska National Guard, and Alaska State Troopers, simply two days after the plane went lacking exterior of Nome, Alaska.
By Saturday afternoon, the our bodies of all 10 victims—whose households have already been notified—had been being ready for transport to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies.
Who Were the Passengers on the Alaska Cessna?
The victims, all residents of Alaska, ranged in age from 30 to 58.
The pilot was recognized as 34-year-old Chad Antill from Nome. The 9 passengers on board had been Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Kameron Hartvigson, 41, of Anchorage; Rhone Baumgartner, 46, of Anchorage; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet; and Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet.