A plane operated by Bering Air, en route from Unalakleet to Nome, crashed while losing radar contact. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board are underway, and authorities are dealing with challenging recovery conditions.
Tragic Plane Crash in Alaska Claims Ten Lives Amid Investigative Efforts
Tragic Plane Crash in Alaska Claims Ten Lives Amid Investigative Efforts
Recovery operations are ongoing for a Cessna Grand Caravan crash in Norton Sound, Alaska, which has left all ten onboard dead.
Crews continue their efforts to recover the bodies of ten individuals who tragically lost their lives in a plane crash in Alaska, as officials confirm the identities of those onboard. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), indicated that the investigation is in its initial stages, making it premature to determine the cause of the crash.
The incident involved a Cessna Grand Caravan, operated by the regional carrier Bering Air, which was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome when it disappeared from radar. The aircraft had nine passengers and a pilot onboard when it went down in Norton Sound, approximately 34 miles (55 kilometers) southeast of Nome, a small city on Alaska's west coast.
Among the deceased are Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, both employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. Their organization confirmed they were in Unalakleet to provide maintenance for a local water facility. During a press conference in Anchorage, Homendy expressed deep condolences for the families and friends of the victims.
Recovery operations are challenging due to adverse weather conditions, with the wreckage landing on an ice floe moving at an estimated five miles a day. Nine investigators are currently on-site, supported by specialists from Washington, D.C. Homendy noted, "The priority is victim recovery" as the operation continues.
The US Coast Guard was alerted to an "overdue" aircraft on Thursday afternoon (01:00 GMT), following communication from the pilot indicating a need to enter a holding pattern while awaiting runway clearance. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and speed, culminating in the loss of radar contact. Footage from the scene captured the low visibility conditions that persisted around the crash's pivotal time.
Responses from local officials have been reflective of the gravity of the situation, with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Mike Dunleavy expressing their sympathy and support for the affected families. Governor Dunleavy remarked, "Our prayers are with the passengers, the pilot, and their loved ones during this difficult time." The two cities of Unalakleet and Nome are situated approximately 150 miles apart across Norton Sound, an inlet of the Bering Sea on Alaska's western shoreline.
As investigations continue, Bering Air has pledged full cooperation while expressing condolences for the tragic loss.
