A Cessna Caravan aircraft en route to Nome, Alaska, crashed onto sea ice, killing all nine passengers and the pilot. This incident is recorded as one of the deadliest aviation accidents in the past 25 years.
Crash and Search-and-Rescue Details
U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Mike Salerno confirmed that the wreckage was located by helicopter search teams approximately 48 kilometers southeast of Nome. Rescue crews were deployed to the crash site, and the first images from the scene showed the aircraft’s shattered fuselage and scattered debris on the ice.
Due to rapidly changing weather conditions, the operation quickly shifted from a search-and-rescue to a recovery mission. Authorities reported that unstable ice formations and worsening weather made operations more challenging. Nome Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jim West stated, “Our teams are on the ice now, focusing on working swiftly and safely.”
Local Reactions to the Aviation Disaster
U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski expressed the deep impact of the tragedy during an evening press conference, saying, “It is incredibly difficult to process this loss.” Nome Mayor John Handeland called for community support, emphasizing, “Nome is a strong community that comes together in times of hardship.”
Prayer vigils are being organized in Nome for the victims’ families and those involved in the recovery efforts.
Technical Details of the Crash
The aircraft was operated by Bering Air and had departed from Unalakleet on Thursday. It took off at 2:37 PM and lost communication approximately an hour later. Radar data from the Civil Air Patrol indicated that the plane experienced a rapid loss of altitude and speed around 3:18 PM.
At the time of the crash, light snowfall, fog, and a temperature of -8.3°C were reported. Coast Guard officials confirmed that no distress signals were received from the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched a nine-member team to investigate the accident.
Third Major Aviation Crash in Eight Days
This tragedy marks the third major aviation disaster in the U.S. within eight days:
- January 29: A commercial passenger plane collided with a military helicopter near the nation’s capital, killing 67 people.
- January 31: A medical transport aircraft crashed in Philadelphia, resulting in the deaths of all six onboard and one person on the ground.
Due to Alaska’s vast terrain and limited infrastructure, small aircraft play a crucial role in transportation. Bering Air provides services to 32 villages across western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet.
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