The U.S. Coast Guard has found the Nome-bound passenger plane that went missing on the morning of Feb. 6.
According to a 2:17 p.m., update from the agency on Feb. 7, the Coast Guard “located an aircraft matching the description of the missing plane approx. 34 miles southeast of Nome. 3 individuals were found inside and reported to be deceased. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.”
A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located the aircraft wreckage and lowered two rescue swimmers down to the aircraft. The rescue swimmers located three individuals in the forward part of the aircraft showing no signs of life. The remaining seven people are believed to be inside the aircraft, which was inaccessible due to the condition of the plane. The Coast Guard determined the severity of the wreckage was beyond the possibility of survival.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to all those impacted by this tragic event during this unimaginably difficult time,” said Lt. Matthew Fenstermacher, the command duty officer at the 17th Coast Guard District.
On-scene weather at the time of the accident was 29-35 mph winds and snowing with two miles of visibility.
The Bering Air Caravan, a single-engine turboprop plane, was flying from Unalakleet to Nome with nine adult passengers and the pilot. The 150-mile flight was at full capacity when Coast Guard radar data showed the plane rapidly losing altitude and speed at around 2:37 p.m. on Feb. 6, less than an hour after takeoff.
A multi-agency search effort was led by the U.S. Coast Guard, with help from the National Transportation Safety Board, Alaska State Troopers and the National Guard.
Search efforts include the use of high-tech cameras and underwater devices to determine ice and water flow direction. Additionally, the National Guard launched an HC-130 plane and a helicopter to assist in the search on Thursday. While the plane was able to access the area for about four hours, the helicopter was forced to turn back due to severe weather conditions, according to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson spokesman Alan Brown.
National Guard pilots continued the search on Feb. 7 with vastly improved weather conditions.
Relatives of passengers on board have been notified but passenger names have not been released.
At this point, the cause of the crash is unknown and there is no available information released about the pilot, or pilot experience.
According to the Coast Guard, every plane carries an emergency locating transmitter, but there were no ELT transmissions sent from the missing plane, and the agency does not yet know why.
2 Comments
That is so sad! Prayers for the families and loved ones of the deceased. At least, the plane was found so there could be closure. :’-(
May memories and the knowledge that those who perished Live in the Hearts of All who were Fortunate to Know Them, give solace to the Families.
Flew all over western Alaska as a passenger while working on construction in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Weather along the Kuskokwim and Yukon Rivers, maintenance issues (then), and pilots that only got paid when they flew (then) contributed to many uncompleted flights. Fortunately, although I had many white-knuckle flights, we eventually completed all flights. Twice we ran out of fuel as we taxied on the runway after landing due to being unable to land at original destinations due to weather.