Missing Bering Air Plan: Major -Search Launched After Flight Missing In Alaska

On By Littum

An aircraft carrying 10 people disappeared in the rural Alaska during a dangerous winter storm, with search and rescue crews that shed the ground and medical staff “standing clear”.

The “dilapidated” aircraft operated by Bering Air was reported missing just before 2 p.m. 16 local time on Thursday while on his way from Unalakleet to Nome in the western part of the state. Nine passengers and a pilot were aboard the Cessna 208b Grand Caravan, according to the Alaska’s Department of Public Safety.

The plane started from Unalakleet, a small community of 690 people, at. 14.37, and officials lost contact with it less than an hour later, according to the director of the operation of Bering Air, David Olson.

It was about 12 miles offshore, according to the US Coast Guard.

Nome Volunteer Fire Department is conducting an active soil search in Nome and White Mountains, according to a Facebook post. The search has been hampered by bad weather conditions and visibility.

Light snow and freezing drizzle were seen around Nome Airport on Thursday night, the worst left the visibility down to only half a mile. Wind throw up to 35 km / h was expected overnight.

The Coast Guard and the US Air Force stepped in with flights planned to include the area and try to find the missing aircraft.

The C-130 Coast Guard aircraft is equipped with specialized search and rescue equipment that enables the placement of objects and humans in relation to low-to-nor visibility, officials said.

“The exact location of the aircraft is still unknown. We continue to expand the search effort to as many roads as possible until the aircraft is located, ”the fire department wrote in an update late on Thursday.

This is a breach of news. More to follow.