Alaska plane crash: Missing small aircraft found south east of Nome, all 10 aboard dead

The search for a small commuter plane that vanished in western Alaska has ended in tragedy with all ten people aboard dead.

The plane, which crashed in western Alaska on its way to the hub community of Nome, was located Friday on sea ice, and all people on board died, authorities said.

Mike Salerno, spokesman for the US Coast Guard, on Friday said rescuers were searching the aircraft’s last known location by helicopter when they spotted the wreckage. They lowered two rescue swimmers to investigate.

In a post on X, the US Coast Guard initially only confirmed three bodies were found inside the aircraft, but rescuers have since reported they believe the remaining seven bodies are within the wreckage of the plane but are inaccessible due to its condition.

“USCG has located an aircraft matching the description of the missing plane approx. 34 miles southeast of of Nome. 3 individuals were found inside and reported to be deceased,” a post read.

“Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.”

The Bering Air single-engine turboprop plane was travelling from Unalakleet on Thursday afternoon with nine passengers and a pilot, according to Alaska’s Department of Public Safety.

All 10 people on board the plane were adults, and the flight was a regularly scheduled commuter trip, according to the Alaska State Troopers.

The Cessna Caravan left Unalakleet at 2.37pm, and officials lost contact with the plane less than an hour later, David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air, has said. There was light snow and fog, with a temperature -8C according to the National Weather Service.

Officials lost contact with the plane less than an hour later. The Coast Guard said the plane went missing about 50km southeast of Nome. The aircraft was 20km offshore, according to the Coast Guard said.

It was operating at its maximum passenger capacity, according to the airline’s description of the plane.

The plane’s disappearance marks the third major US aviation mishap in eight days. A commercial jetliner and an Army helicopter collided near the nation’s capital on January 29, killing 67 people. A medical transportation plane crashed in Philadelphia two days later, killing the six people on board and another person on the ground.

Alaska’s US senators, Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, issued statements saying their thoughts and prayers were with the passengers, their families, rescuers and the Nome community.