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.
