A small commuter plane bound for Nome, Alaska, crashed on sea ice, killing all 10 people aboard, authorities confirmed Friday. The incident is among the state's deadliest aviation disasters in the past 25 years.
Rescuers located the wreckage southeast of Nome after a helicopter search. A Coast Guard photo showed the shattered plane and debris scattered on the ice, with emergency responders assessing the scene.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed sorrow over the tragedy, while Nome Mayor John Handeland, visibly emotional, emphasized the community’s resilience in supporting those affected. A prayer service was scheduled for the evening.
Recovery efforts faced challenges due to unstable, slushy ice and worsening weather conditions. Officials said time was critical as they worked to retrieve the victims safely.
The Bering Air Cessna Caravan, carrying nine passengers and a pilot, took off from Unalakleet on Thursday afternoon but lost contact within an hour. Officials cited a sudden drop in altitude and speed but could not determine the cause. No distress signals were detected.
Alaska’s rugged terrain and reliance on small aircraft for transportation make aviation vital yet risky. The crash marks the third major U.S. air disaster in just over a week, following fatal incidents in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia.
Bering Air, serving 32 remote villages, continued search efforts, while federal investigators from the NTSB were dispatched to determine the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Nome and surrounding communities mourned the loss, holding vigils for the victims and their families.
