A missing plane with 10 aboard was found crashed in Alaska on Friday, a day after it left for Nome and never arrived, the Coast Guard said. There are believed to be no survivors.
The wreckage of the plane was found approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, and three people were found dead inside, the maritime military branch said.
Seven others who were on the plane “are believed to be inside the aircraft but are currently inaccessible due to the condition of the plane,” the Coast Guard said in an update on X. “Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected by this tragic incident.”
The Bering Air Cessna Caravan took off Thursday from Unalakleet, on the east coast of Norton Sound in western Alaska, and was headed to Nome around 140 miles away, officials said.
There were nine passengers and one pilot aboard.
The flight took off from Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. Thursday, Bering Air Director of Operations David Olson told NBC affiliate KTUU of Anchorage.
Radar analysis showed that around 3:18 p.m. Thursday “this aircraft experienced some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble said at a news briefing earlier Friday.
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy said earlier Friday that he and his wife, Rose, “are heartbroken by the disappearance of the Bering Air flight over Norton Sound.”
“Our prayers are with the passengers, the pilot, and their loved ones during this difficult time,” Dunleavy said in a statement.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department said its search and rescue team was activating for the recovery effort, with assistance from the Alaska National Guard.
Nome and Unalakleet are not serviced by the state’s highway system, leaving air and water or snowmobile and trails the main forms of transport between the two.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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