A tragic plane crash in Alaska took the lives of 10 people, including a dedicated school counselor, Carol Mendiola Mooers. She was traveling to pick up students for college tours when the small plane went missing before crashing into sea ice.
A Life Dedicated to Helping Students
Carol Mendiola Mooers, 48, worked as a counselor at Unalakleet School in Alaska. She was on her way to take students on college tours in Juneau and Anchorage when the Bering Air Flight crashed. Her son, Aaron Mooers, described her as an educator, mentor, and community leader.
A U.S. Army veteran and mother of two, Carol was originally from San Antonio, Texas. Her family plans to honor her wish of being buried alongside fellow service members in her home state. Her son shared that they will travel multiple times to arrange her funeral and pay their respects.
Remembering Carol’s Impact
Unalakleet School paid tribute to Carol, describing her as a key part of the school community. In a heartfelt message, the school shared how she worked in every classroom, spent time with students during lunch, and attended weekend activities.
“She always made sure our kids were taken care of,” said school official Teri Paniptchuk. “If they were having a hard day, she was there to comfort them. We will never forget her.”
Another victim of the crash was Alaska State Mentor Teacher Liane Ryan. She was remembered for her kindness, upbeat attitude, and willingness to help wherever needed.
A Career of Service
Carol graduated from Incarnate Word High School in San Antonio in 1994. She dedicated her life to education, working as an art teacher at Memorial High School in Texas from 2007 to 2012 and later as a counselor at Harlandale Independent School District.
“She was on her way to pick up students for college tours—showing her commitment to their future,” her former school shared in a tribute.
The Deadly Crash
The Cessna Caravan took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. on Thursday, heading to Nome, about 150 miles away. Less than an hour later, the plane lost contact. Officials say the aircraft, carrying a full load of passengers, experienced a rapid drop in altitude and speed before crashing 12 miles offshore.
Rescue teams found the wreckage in icy waters 34 miles southwest of Nome the next day. By Saturday, all 10 victims had been recovered. Investigators are now working to determine the cause of the crash.
This was Alaska’s deadliest plane crash in 25 years. It follows two other fatal U.S. aviation crashes in recent weeks, including an American Airlines collision with a Black Hawk helicopter and a medevac jet crash in Philadelphia.
