Nome, Alaska is known for its vast, frozen wilderness. It has icy winds that carve peculiar patterns into the snow, and the foggy horizon melts into the blur of white vagues. On one such winter day in Nome alaska, a lone plane (the Bering Air commuter), which carried 9 passengers and a pilot, has been reported to vanish or be missing into the white oblivion. The plane was from the regional airline flight, and it mysteriously disappeared on Thursday. The sudden disappearance of the aircraft has sent the local communities into shock. As the takeoff of the flight has been all good. It is being said that except for the weather conditions, there cannot be any reason for the news of the disappearance and later on the plane crash.
The US Coast Guard found the missing Bering Air flight on Friday after it was reported missing on Thursday. The plane had crashed and wrecked on the surface of an icy sea off the west coast of mainland Alaska. Reports confirmed that the crash killed all nine passengers and the pilot. A US Coast Guard crew discovered the Bering Air commuter Cessna 208B Grand Caravan during an aerial search launched after the plane’s disappearance was reported. The search operation focused on the last known location of the plane, which was 12 miles off the shore and 30 miles southeast of Nome. Authorities confirmed the fatalities after assigning two rescue swimmers to examine the wrecked Cessna Caravan.
Words from Officials and People related to the Plane Crash
The officials have fully determined the cause of the plane crash, but according to the radar data collected from the US Civil Air Patrol, it was noted that the Bering Air experienced a significant loss in altitude and speed around 3:18 pm local time. Even after the radar data, the cause of the accident is unknown; also, it was reported that no distress or emergency signals were received from the now-crash plane during the time.
The plane was reported to depart from the Unalakleet for Nome at 2:37 pm as per its regular schedule for commute services. During the takeoff, the National Weather Service forecasted a light snow and fog with 17 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature. However, the planes in Alaska are similar with such conditions and can take off up to a certain degree of snowfall. Alaska’s western coast is known to have frequent events of sudden snow gusts and high winds during winters. At times, it poses a serious obstacle for small aircraft. Although these weather conditions are frequent, there were no such extreme conditions on Thursday as the flight was given clearance to take off.
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It was also reported by a non-profit that among the passengers on the crashed plane, two were from the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium who were on the plane to service a heat recovery system that was essential for community water plants.
In a statement, ANTHC interim president and CEO, Natasha Singh, said, “Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson were passionate about the work they did, cared deeply for the communities they served, and made a lasting impact on rural communities across our state.”
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The search operations for the disappeared Bering Air were the joint efforts of federal agencies and local and state agencies. On Thursday, the search operation was not up to par due to the poor weather conditions, and initial searches by flight C-130 from the US Air Force and Coast Guard returned empty-handed. The wreckage of the crashed plane was first spotted by the Coast Guard’s MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and then rescue swimmers were assigned to investigate the plane on the ice sea. Although the investigations are on the way, it is made clear if the plane was fully operational or it had some defects, as the emergency locator transmitter was confirmed to be activated or not because no emergency signals were received before the time of the crash.
After this incident, the US has seen three major plane crash incidents in less than two months. It has led many to question the safety of airline transportation in the country. The air traffic control, the air navigation, the air transportation management, everything is being questioned. And for some mysterious reason, details of both the plane crashes were not fully known to anyone or were determined by the authorities as well.
All the families that were associated with the passengers and the pilot have been notified. Although no names were released in the press. The bodies were first recovered, and the plane was sent for further analysis. Why was the Cessna Caravan given clearance to take off in the first place if the national weather service forecasted snow ahead during the flight?
Where is Alaska?
After this unfortunate incident, many people have shown their condolences and grief to the families of the passengers and the pilot. To honor the victims of the plane crash, prayer vigils were announced.
US representative Nick Begich expressed his condolences and posted on social media that he was ready to assist Governor Mike Dunleavy in supporting the affected families. The US Coast Guard on X said, “Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident.”
Sean Duffy, US transportation secretary, said, “The Federal Aviation Administration is providing an investigation from the Aviation Safety Office of Accident and Prevention” for better management. In a statement on X, he further said, sharing his condolences, “Say a prayer tonight for the 10 souls who lost their lives on the Bering Air flight in Alaska.”
In a post on X, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy said, “Our prayers are with the families, friends, and communities mourning this tragedy.” He further added, “We are grateful to the search teams who worked tirelessly to locate the aircraft. I ask all Alaskans to keep those affected in their thoughts and prayers.”
“At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy. We recognize the profound loss this has caused, and we want to extend our sincerest condolences to everyone impacted.”
Why does Alaska require frequent air transportation?
Alaska is situated in the northernmost part of the North American continent and is the largest state in the United States of America. It shares borders with Canada, especially the Yukon and British Columbia in the east, shares borders with the Arctic Ocean to the north, and has the Pacific Ocean in the west and south. It is separated from the mainland in the US and therefore is sort of a remote location with strategic significance for the United States in the northern part of the globe. Due to its remote location, it has unspoiled wilderness areas, tall standing mountains, glaciers, and tundra. Also, due to its large distance from the mainland and rugged terrain, it poses various logistical challenges.
The state has beautiful landscapes of expanses of glaciers, boreal forest, and steep mountains with small communities living nestled in various locations. However, due to rugged terrain, construction of roads is not a long-term option for them, as it is costly and impractical. Due to extreme weather in the land and sea, transportation is unreliable, as heavy snowfall and intense winter storms are frequent occurrences. Alaska has limited ground infrastructure, which means the communities are not as well connected due to a lack of road network.
The absence of road networks makes air transportation not just convenient but a necessity for communities. The air transportation system in Alaska is used for basically every other need, such as airplanes are used to transport essential goods and services through supply and cargo delivery. This ensures local communities have access to everyday necessities in poor weather conditions. Air transport is also used for military and strategic importance for national security, to provide medical and emergency services, etc.
What is a Cessna 280b Grand Caravan?
The Cessna has a long record for manufacturing and designing reliable, utility-focused aircraft. The Cessna Caravan was initially designed to make a cost-effective solution that is capable of operating in remote locations and harsh environments. The 280b version represents the latest technological advancement in engine performance, avionics, and overall efficiency. It is a powerful turboprop engine with a highly efficient interior for passenger seating, cargo storage, or medical evacuation setup. The economical cost makes it a favorable option for small airlines and charter services.
The design of the Cessna 280b Grand Caravan is highly focused on simplicity, durability, and operational ease. Due to its high wing configuration, it provides amazing visibility for the pilot, making it easy for them to land on a rough, unprepared surface. It has fixed landing options that reduce its complexity and mechanical failure. Hence, the Cessna 280b Grand Caravan is used regularly by the small airlines in Alaska for commuting. It is an economical option for local communities to travel in rather than roads.
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Shubhangi Gupta is a distinguished content writer and the visionary founder of The Unpleasant – Acha Nahi Sabse Sacha. With a Master’s degree in Commerce from University of Lucknow, Shubhangi has seamlessly blended her academic background with her passion for reading and writing, embarking on a successful career as a content writer since 2019.
