Editor’s note: We are updating this story as details become available. Check back.
A Cessna Caravan plane belonging to Bering Air has gone missing on the way to Nome in Western Alaska. The flight originated in Unalakleet.
“We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan,” wrote the Nome Volunteer Fire Department.
“We are currently doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain and have as much up to date information on the event as possible. Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time. National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by,” the fire department said.
There were 10 people on board — 9 passengers and the pilot.
“We ask the public to please think of those who may be missing at this time, but due to weather and safety concerns please do not form individual search parties. Families are encouraged to seek support at Norton Sound Health Corporation,” the fire department said.
Norton Sound Health Corporation has enacted their mass casualty protocol and is standing by, the city reported in a public service announcement.
Weather in the area is a mix of rain, sleet, and snow, and it is reportedly very difficult flying conditions.
More information will be added here as it becomes available.
Pilots in the area say there was severe icing from 6,000-8,000 feet.
At 6:45 p.m. the Nome Airport reports three-quarters of a mile visibility, with ceiling of 3,700 feet and light winds, 11 degrees and light snow falling. Sunset was at 6:05 p.m., and first light will at about 9:30 a.m., with sunrise at 10:28 a.m. on Friday.
Update: The Nome Volunteer Fire Department report that Flight Service said the pilot of the plane told Anchorage Air Traffic Control that he intended to enter a holding pattern while waiting for the runway to be cleared.
9:06 p.m. update: A C-130 has arrived in the Nome area. The plane did not land, but began to fly a grid pattern over the water and shoreline in attempts to locate the plane. The plane is equipped with specialized equipment for search and rescue that enables them to locate objects and people through no visibility conditions, the fire department in Nome said.
9:45 p.m. update: The Alaska Rescue Coordination Center has requested the Alaska National Guard’s assistance in the search for a missing plane in the Nome area. An Alaska Air National Guard HC-130J is actively searching this evening and an HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is on the way to assist.
12:30 a.m. update: Nome Volunteer Fire Department says there is no further information on the location of the missing aircraft. Crews are still searching on the ground, canvassing as much area as possible.
“The National Guard C-130 reported they found nothing found so far. The Airforce also sent a C-130 resumed the search and also have reported no visuals, and have one hour of flight search time remaining,” the fire department said.
The Nome Nugget has detailed information about teams on the ground searching for the plane.
The next update is expected after 9 am.
Prayers and comfort for the families.
Prayers.
Praying for all involved
A Cessna Caravan is one of the worst/most-dangerous aircraft certified to fly in known icing conditions. This type of aircraft has no business whatsoever to be around any severe icing weather. You can google the accident history of Caravans in icing conditions. I don’t know how the FAA allowed the Caravans to continue to fly in icing conditions with the remedy being “just fly faster with more power”.
Tell me you’ve never flown in the bush, without saying you’ve never flown in the bush.
You need to rethink this.. data does not support this.
Buckey is correct. Caravans are known to perform poorly in icing. Though icing was reported it is unknown if icing was a significant factor in this terrible incident.
Pray!!!
Damn it anyway. Praying for survivors. Bering air is a great company.
Much too common occurrence in Alaska.
Capt. Lew,
Civil Aviation accidents do happen, thankfully however at a much lower rate than is experienced everyday with drivers on Alaskan Roadways.
That said, I can attest that Bering Air is probably the best operated and safest commuter airline in Alaska. Excellent Pilots, superb care for their fleet along with wonderful service to those along their routes.
This is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers go out to all involved!
Thanks for being one of the very first to cover this breaking story Suzanne.
Looking at the data from various flight tracking web sites I’ve seen C-130s from the Coast Guard and the USAF in the area.
Polar flights between Asia and Europe that are flying over Nome at 32,000 feet or more may be monitoring the frequency (121.5 and 243.0) to listen for ELT pings.
And a USAF E3A is up over Interior Alaska- may also be collecting data that may help.
Satellites will also be detecting ELT pings on the 406 mega hertz fequency- and relaying this data to those doing the serach.
What a grievous situation. Praying for all involved for God’s protection, provision and safety.
Bering Air is a great airline! Have always been very cautious when it comes to their passengers. This is an unusual and very rare for this airline. Prayer for the families for all those aboard. ??????
https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/aviation/2019/11/04/rate-of-alaska-fatal-plane-crashes-tops-national-average/#:~:text=Alaska%20had%20nine%20fatal%20plane,1%25%20of%20the%20national%20population.
Alaska had nine fatal plane accidents last year, eight in 2017, 12 in 2016, and 11 in 2015, the newspaper reported. The NTSB website indicates 5.4% of the 221 fatal crashes in the U.S. in 2016 — the most recent year listed — occurred in Alaska, which has less than 1% of the national..
-Anchorage Daily News
Alaska can kill you in a million different ways. Especially in winter and in the air.
True, Whidbey. If we didn’t know better, we might think it was out to get us. – sd
Prayers for a good outcome.
Lord I ask you to keep the passengers and the pilot in good frame of mind, keep them in good spirits, assist them in their challenges and keep them warm until they may be further rescued. Heavenly Father I plead with you to allow this prayer to be the answered miracle I know you can provide. I pray the pilot can remain calm and offer passengers verbal peace when he can not offer them a hand. I pray the passengers can find comfort in one another and cling to hope, your light and loving spirit. Keep this aircraft surrounded in your safety, shelter them with your strength and keep them warm until the Calvary arrives. Lord, let this be an opportunity to save souls and not take loved ones from our grasp. We trust in your ultimate power, In your most abundant, heavenly name I pray, Amen.
Amen.
Beautiful prayer. Brought tears to my eyes.
I have been praying, too. Still at it.
Scud flying and potential icing.
I have flown this route often. 10 people and who knows what on the bypass packaging.
Damn.
I pray for our relatives. God bless them!
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