Bering air flight with 10 on board goes missing near Alaska's Nome, search underway
PTC Web Desk: A small commercial aircraft carrying nine passengers and a pilot has gone missing in Alaska, the police confirmed on Thursday. The Bering Air Caravan was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it failed to arrive at its scheduled time. Alaska State Police reported that the aircraft was last expected around 4 pm Alaska Standard Time (0100 GMT).
The two locations, approximately 146 miles (235 km) apart, are separated by Norton Sound. The authorities have launched search and rescue operations to locate the aircraft's last known position. However, adverse weather conditions have limited aerial search efforts. The Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed via social media that a ground search is being conducted from Nome and White Mountain. Officials have urged residents to avoid independent search attempts due to dangerous weather conditions.
According to FlightRadar24 data, the last detected position of the Bering Air flight was over water, 38 minutes after its departure from Unalakleet at 2. 38 pm local time (2338 GMT). The flight, which typically takes less than an hour, never reached Nome.
Bering Air, a regional airline based in Alaska, operates a fleet of 39 aircraft, including planes and helicopters. The airline has not yet issued a statement regarding the missing aircraft.
Unalakleet, home to about 690 residents, is situated 150 miles (240 km) southeast of Nome and 395 miles (640 km) northwest of Anchorage. Nome, historically a Gold Rush town, is also known as the finishing point of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
This disappearance follows a series of recent aviation accidents in the US. On January 30, a passenger jet collided midair with a US. Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., claiming 67 lives. Shortly after, a medical aircraft crashed into a Philadelphia neighbourhood, resulting in seven fatalities and 19 injuries.ews
- With inputs from agencies
