Urgent Search Underway for Missing Alaska Plane Carrying 10 Passengers

A search is underway in Alaska for a Bering Air Caravan flight that went missing with 10 people on board. The plane, which took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. local time on February 7, was reported overdue when it failed to arrive in Nome as scheduled.

Officials stated that the flight was last detected approximately 12 miles offshore. The Coast Guard and local emergency services have initiated ground and air searches to locate the aircraft and its occupants.

The Bering Air flight was expected to travel from Unalakleet to Nome but lost contact shortly before its scheduled arrival. At around 4 p.m. local time, Alaska State Troopers were alerted about the overdue aircraft. Nine passengers and one pilot were aboard the plane when it disappeared from radar along the coast between Nome and Topkok.

The search operations involve multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, which is using a C-130 aircraft capable of detecting objects under poor visibility conditions. Ground crews have also been deployed to cover areas along the coastline from Nome to Topkok.

• The flight departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m.
• The last known position of the plane was approximately 12 miles offshore.
• Search efforts are being expanded as authorities continue their investigation into the aircraft’s whereabouts.

White Mountain Fire Chief Jack Adams expressed hope that the plane may have landed safely rather than crashing into water where sea ice could pose additional challenges for rescue efforts. As of now, no signs of the aircraft have been found, prompting responders to broaden their search area continuously until they can locate it.

This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety in remote Alaskan regions where weather can rapidly change and complicate rescue operations. Authorities remain committed to locating both the aircraft and its passengers as search efforts continue through challenging conditions.