Bering Air’s missing aircraft with 10 people on board was set to arrive in Nome, Alaska, but was declared overdue while flying from Unalakleet.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department is coordinating a ground search for the Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, with weather conditions severely hindering aerial efforts.
Assistance from the National Guard, Coast Guard, and Troopers has been mobilized for the search operation.
A Federal Aviation Administration weather camera indicated whiteout conditions, complicating the search further.
The flight involved was BRG445, operated by the Cessna Caravan, registered as N321BA. According to data from Flightradar24, it departed from Runway 33 at Unalakleet Airport (UNK) at 14:37. It then turned and headed straight west, gradually climbing in altitude. Just 13 minutes after its departure, the aircraft leveled off at 7,725 feet. It continued west and subsequently increased its speed to 160 knots.
Nome Volunteer Fire Department shared: “We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan. We are doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain. Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time. National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by.”
Even a Federal Aviation Administration weather camera in the vicinity of Nome showed what looked like whiteout conditions on Thursday afternoon, reported Alaska’s News Source.
