A regional airline flight that went missing in Alaska on Thursday has been located, with all 10 individuals on board confirmed deceased, according to the US Coast Guard. The small commuter aircraft was discovered approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, the flight's intended destination. Two rescue swimmers identified three bodies inside the plane, with the remaining seven believed to be within the wreckage but currently inaccessible.
Among the deceased are two employees from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, who were on a mission to service a critical heat recovery system in Unalakleet. The nonprofit organization expressed deep sorrow over the loss of these individuals who were dedicated to serving rural communities.
The Cessna aircraft, operated by Bering Air, vanished while en route from Unalakleet to Nome. The plane experienced a sudden loss of elevation and speed, leading to the tragic incident. Search efforts were hindered by poor weather conditions, but visibility improved on Friday morning, allowing for more effective search operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration is actively involved in investigating the incident, and the FBI is assisting with technical resources to determine the last known locations of the passengers' cell phones. The missing aircraft did not transmit distress signals through an emergency locator transmitter, adding complexity to the search and rescue operations.
The tragic event has deeply impacted the local community and raised concerns about air safety. The Governor of Alaska expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims and praised the search teams for their relentless efforts in locating the aircraft.
As investigations continue and families mourn the loss of their loved ones, the entire state of Alaska stands in solidarity with those affected by this heartbreaking incident.
