Authorities in Alaska are working quickly to recover the bodies of 10 people who died in a tragic plane crash. The accident happened on Thursday, and crews are racing against bad weather to collect the remains and remove the wreckage from unstable sea ice.
The Bering Air plane, a single-engine turboprop, was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome when it disappeared. After an extensive search, the wreckage was found the next day. Unfortunately, all nine passengers and the pilot did not survive.
Rescue teams are facing dangerous conditions on the icy waters, making the recovery process difficult. A Black Hawk helicopter is being used to help move the wreckage after the bodies are recovered.
Among the victims were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, who were on their way to Unalakleet to work on a heating system that helps provide clean water to the community. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, their employer, expressed deep sadness over their loss, saying their work was essential to the people they served.
Officials have not yet released the names of the other victims. However, they confirmed that all 10 people on board were adults, and the flight was part of a regular commuter route.
A photo released by the Coast Guard shows the shattered remains of the plane on the ice. Emergency responders in bright gear were seen working around the wreckage. Nome Mayor John Handeland became emotional while speaking about the tragedy, emphasizing how the community will support each other during this difficult time.
The plane took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. on Thursday but lost contact less than an hour later. Weather conditions at the time included light snow, fog, and freezing temperatures. According to data from the U.S. Civil Air Patrol, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and speed around 3:18 p.m. Officials are unsure what caused this sudden event.
Despite having an emergency locating transmitter that should have sent a distress signal, no messages were received from the plane. The Coast Guard, along with local, state, and federal agencies, searched the area by air and ground before locating the wreckage.
The National Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of nine investigators to examine the crash site.
Flying is a common mode of transportation in Alaska due to the vast distances between communities. Many villages do not have road connections, so small planes are essential for travel and delivering supplies.
This crash marks the third major aviation disaster in the U.S. in just eight days, raising concerns about air travel safety.
