The disappearance of a plane carrying nine passengers and a pilot in western Alaska on Thursday has left authorities grappling with a challenging search operation, hindered by adverse weather conditions. According to officials, the Bering Air Caravan was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it failed to arrive at its scheduled destination of 4 p.m. local time on Thursday. The Associated Press, citing information from the U.S. Coast Guard, reported that communication was lost with the aircraft when it was approximately 12 miles off the coast.
Reports indicate that the plane was in a holding pattern as it awaited clearance to land in Nome, a disclosure made by the town’s volunteer fire department in a Facebook post. At the time of the incident, the area was experiencing light snowfall and low cloud cover, although winds were relatively calm. As search efforts unfolded, the volunteer fire department highlighted the hazardous conditions, cautioning against individual search attempts due to limited visibility.
The fire department stated, “Due to adverse weather conditions and poor visibility, the feasibility of conducting aerial searches is currently restricted.” Despite these challenges, CBS News reported that aerial search operations have been initiated in the vicinity where the aircraft disappeared, while ground crews have combed the shoreline spanning from Nome to the Topkok River – a distance of approximately 40 miles.
The identities of the passengers and pilot aboard the missing plane have yet to be disclosed. Notably, Nome serves as the concluding point for the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, slated to kick off on February 27 in Anchorage and conclude on March 6.
As this story continues to evolve, readers are encouraged to monitor for ongoing updates.
