Bering Air: Cessna Plane reported Missing Over Alaska with 10 on board, officials say

Cnn
–

A Cessna aircraft with 10 people on board have disappeared during a flight in Alaska, according to local and state officials.

The aircraft operated by Bering Air was on its way from Unalakleet to Nome, both cities in western Alaska separated by Norton Sound Inlet, according to Alaska State Troopers.

The state police agency was notified at 1 p.m. 16 Thursday about “a dilapidated aircraft” that had disappeared with nine passengers and a pilot on board said that in a Shipment notification Shared on its website.

Nome Volunteer Four Department said on Facebook It performed active soil searches from Nome and White Mountain, but was limited to air search due to bad weather and visibility. The US Coast Guard and the US Air Force have stepped in to help with flights planned to include the area and try to find the missing aircraft, the department 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, ” Fire Department wrote. It called on the public not to form their own search parties due to weather and security concerns.

CNN has reached Bering Air for comment.

From Thursday night there was light snow and freezing drip around Nome Airport; At one point, visibility was only down to half a kilometer with forecasts for wind throw up to 35 km / h overnight.

According to data from Flight Tracker Flightradar 24The plane, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, was last seen over the Norton sound around 10 pm. 15.16 Akst.

Flight Tracker also showed a coastguard HC-130 that flies near the aircraft’s last known location on Thursday night, with the fire department said that the bar “specialized equipment for search and rescue enables them to locate objects and people without any visibility conditions. ”

Local hospitals are ready for any possible reaction needed with Norton Sound Health Corporation says in a statement It was “standing ready to respond to a medical emergency in society.” Norton Sound Regional Hospital also created a family center for loved ones of passengers to gather while waiting for news.

Senator Dan Sullivan from Alaska posted about the incident at FacebookWriting: “We hear reports of a possible missing aircraft on the way to Nome. Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, their families and the rescue herd. ”

CNNS Robert Shackelford and Amanda Jackson contributed to this report.