A desperate search is underway for a small Bering Air plane that disappeared off the coast of Alaska with ten people onboard.
The aircraft took off from Unalakleet on a short 55-minute flight to Nome, but suddenly vanished from flight radars over the Norton Sound inlet at 3:16 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Severe weather, rough seas, and freezing temperatures are complicating rescue efforts. The Coast Guard and Air Force have deployed teams, while the FBI has joined the operation to track the missing group through cell phone data.
Last communication before the aircraft disappeared
Shortly before the plane dropped off radars, the pilot told air traffic control he was entering a holding pattern while waiting for a runway to clear at Nome Airport. Officials confirmed that the last known coordinates placed the aircraft 12 miles off the coast amid deteriorating weather conditions.
Alaska communities rally to support rescue efforts
Authorities have praised local residents in Unalakleet and Nome for their overwhelming support. On Friday morning, officials requested boats to assist in the search, and hours later, teams confirmed they had received enough resources.
Unalakleet, home to just 690 people, and Nome, with a population of about 3,000, are deeply invested in the rescue efforts, as the tight-knit communities await updates on the missing passengers.
Search expands to icy shoreline and sea ice
Search crews are focusing on scanning the sea ice and shoreline near the area where the plane disappeared. The Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed that air and land searches continue, with a Coast Guard helicopter actively sweeping the region. The National Guard has also launched a Black Hawk helicopter to assist.
FBI joins multi-agency search
The FBI has now joined the operation, bringing specialized resources to help locate the missing plane and passengers. Agents are working to track cell phone signals in an attempt to pinpoint their last location.
In a statement, the FBI said it is ready to augment local, state, and federal resources if the situation requires additional specialized capabilities.
Rescuers battle harsh conditions as search expands
Overnight, severe weather and poor visibility hindered search teams, but with daylight, authorities have increased coverage. The Coast Guard has sent a second C-130 aircraft to Nome, while ground crews are moving along the coast to widen the search area.
Officials remain hopeful as efforts continue, but concerns grow as the missing aircraft has not sent out any distress signals from its emergency locator transmitter, a device that activates during a crash.
With time running out in freezing conditions, search teams are racing against the clock to find any signs of survivors.
