A search effort is underway in Alaskan waters after a Bering Air flight with 10 people on board went missing Thursday amid rough weather. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it lost contact over the Norton Sound around 3:16 p.m., approximately 12 miles offshore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The aircraft’s pilot had informed air traffic control of plans to enter a holding pattern while waiting for a runway to be cleared, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department reported. However, deteriorating conditions—including snow, freezing drizzle, and wind gusts up to 35 mph—posed serious challenges.
Ground searches began from Nome and White Mountain, but poor visibility limited aerial efforts. The U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force deployed aircraft equipped with search-and-rescue technology, while the FBI provided technical assistance, attempting to geolocate passengers’ cell phones.
Bering Air, based in Nome, has been coordinating emergency efforts. The Norton Sound Health Corp. has prepared for potential medical responses, and the Norton Sound Regional Hospital has set up a support center for families awaiting updates.
The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of U.S. air safety, following two fatal crashes last week. Authorities continue to search for the missing plane, holding onto hope that the aircraft may have landed on stable ice.
