The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has officially ended its search for the missing Bering Air flight after the aircraft was located approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome. The tragic incident has claimed the lives of at least three individuals who were found inside the plane, and they have been reported as deceased.
The remaining seven people on board are believed to still be inside the aircraft, but search and rescue teams have been unable to access them due to the current condition of the plane. The severe impact of the crash and the treacherous terrain have made recovery efforts challenging.
The Bering Air flight, a Cessna Caravan carrying ten passengers, disappeared from radar on Thursday afternoon while en route from Unalakleet to Nome. The aircraft last transmitted its location at around 3:20 p.m. local time, sparking a large-scale search operation involving the USCG, the U.S. Air Force, and local ground search teams from Nome and White Mountain.
The USCG has expressed its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. Captain Keith Boyd, commander of Coast Guard Sector Anchorage, stated, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who were on board the aircraft. This is a heartbreaking outcome, and we will continue to support the families during this difficult time."
The NTSB will conduct an investigation to determine what led to the aircraft's disappearance and subsequent crash.