A Berlin Air plane flying over the Alaskan wilderness disappeared from radar with 10 people on board and failed to reach its destination.
After an extensive search, the wreckage of the aircraft, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, was discovered on sea ice Friday afternoon (local time) in Alaska, US, by a team from the US Coast Guard using a helicopter.
The plane was en route from the small town of Unalakleet in western Alaska to Nome, located south of the Arctic Circle, at 2:37 p.m. The flight was expected to last about an hour. However, while crossing Norton Sound, the plane lost contact at an altitude of 5,300 feet.
The Coast Guard announced on X: “USCG has concluded its search for the missing plane after the aircraft was located approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome. Three individuals were found inside and are confirmed deceased.
“The remaining seven are believed to still be in the aircraft, but are currently unreachable due to the condition of the plane. Our deepest condolences go out to those affected by this tragic event.”
During a press conference on Friday, USCG Lieutenant Commander Ben McIntyre-Coble stated that the plane lost altitude and speed quickly due to “some kind of event.” The exact cause of the crash remains unclear.
“We are operating under the assumption that some individuals may still be in a position where they can be assisted by the US Coast Guard,” he said.
“We continue to have air assets on standby and are working closely with local authorities, including the Alaska State Troopers, to provide possible assistance to any individuals who may be found on the ice.
“At this time, we are treating this as an active search and rescue operation, and there are no plans to alter the status of the case for the foreseeable future.”
Later, the US Coast Guard issued a statement declaring: “The severity of the wreckage has made survival impossible.”
Sympathy poured in from across the state, including from Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, who expressed his sorrow over the tragic loss on social media.
“Rose and I are heartbroken by the loss of the 10 people aboard the Bering Air flight,” Dunleavy wrote on X. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, friends, and communities grieving this tragedy.”
This crash in Alaska follows two major aviation disasters in the past two weeks.
An American Airlines jet collided mid-air with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, killing all 67 people aboard. In another incident, a medical jet carrying a mother and daughter—who had received life-saving treatment in the US—along with a doctor, paramedic, and two pilots, crashed while en route to Mexico.