Picture credits: US Coast Guard
Unalakleet: A massive search is underway for a Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan that vanished while en route from Unalakleet to Nome with nine passengers and one pilot aboard. The aircraft took off at 2:37 p.m. local time on February 6, 2025, but lost contact roughly an hour later over Norton Sound, about 12 miles offshore.
UPDATE
Feb 08 2025
The U.S. Coast Guard has ended its search for the missing Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, found 34 miles southeast of Nome. Officials have confirmed three fatalities, while the remaining seven are presumed dead, believed to still be inside the wreckage.
Rescue teams have been unable to access the site due to the aircraft’s condition and location. Efforts are ongoing to determine the safest way to proceed with the recovery
“Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected by this tragic incident,” US Coast Guard said in a statement.
Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her condolences online following the incident:
“My heart is broken over the news out of Nome. Alaska is a big small town. When tragedy strikes, we’re never far removed from the Alaskans directly impacted. But that also means we come together as a community to grieve and heal. We are deeply grateful to the Alaska National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, the Alaska State Troopers, and all those who braved dangerous conditions to conduct the search for the downed aircraft. All of Alaska is praying for the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, for the Bering Air family, and the communities of Unalakleet and Nome.”
Alaska’s Governor, Mike Dunleavy, said he was “heartbroken” by the disappearance of the flight.
“Our prayers are with the passengers, the pilot, and their loved ones during this difficult time,” he said.
According to Alaska’s News Source, two of the crash victims were on a work trip for a non-profit tribal health organization. The identities of the other passengers have not been released.
Efforts are now shifting toward recovering the remaining victims and investigating the cause of the crash. Further details, including weather conditions at the time and potential mechanical issues, are being examined.
Feb 07 2025
Flight tracking data indicates that the plane reached an altitude of 5,300 feet before disappearing from radar while traveling at approximately 135 mph. However, no wreckage or emergency signals have been detected so far.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force have launched a major search operation, deploying aircraft to systematically scan the area. Ground crews from Nome and White Mountain are also searching the coastline, but progress has been hampered by harsh weather, including light snow, fog, and subzero temperatures of -8°C.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department issued a statement on social media, confirming that their teams were conducting searches from Nome to Topkok but warned against independent search efforts due to the dangerous conditions.
In remote regions of Alaska, air travel is not just a convenience but a necessity. Bering Air, which serves 32 villages from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet, provides vital transportation where roads are scarce or nonexistent. Most locations rely on twice-daily flights, Monday through Saturday, making aviation the primary link to medical care, supplies, and travel.
At present, the names of those on board have not been released, authorities remain hopeful but acknowledge that time is critical as search teams race against worsening weather to locate the missing aircraft and its occupants.
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