A Bering Air flight carrying 10 individuals, including nine passengers and one pilot, has gone missing over Alaska’s remote wilderness while traveling from Unalakleet to Nome.
The small Cessna Caravan aircraft lost radar contact 38 minutes into its journey on Thursday afternoon, and authorities have since launched an urgent search operation.
Officials are working to trace the plane’s final coordinates, but Alaska’s challenging weather conditions and vast, mountainous terrain are complicating the search.
The disappearance occurred as the plane flew over water, with its last known position recorded just under an hour after takeoff.
Alaska’s reliance on small aircraft for both passenger travel and essential cargo delivery makes it one of the most high-risk regions for aviation accidents in the United States.
Despite these risks, small planes remain the primary means of transportation to many of the state’s remote villages, which are often inaccessible by road.
Bering Air, a regional airline with a fleet of 39 aircraft, operates in a region where harsh conditions and difficult geography make flying particularly challenging.
The search continues as emergency teams work tirelessly to locate the missing plane and ensure the safety of those on board.
