Crews are diligently working to recover the bodies of the ten individuals who perished in a plane crash in Alaska. The Cessna Grand Caravan, operated by Bering Air, went down in Norton Sound, approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome. The flight, which was en route from Unalakleet to Nome, lost radar contact shortly before the accident occurred. Among the victims were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, both employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, who were in Unalakleet for maintenance work on a water plant.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, stated that the investigation is in its "early stages" and stressed the ongoing recovery efforts, despite challenging weather conditions and the wreckage being located on a moving ice floe. Nine investigators are on-site, assisted by specialists from Washington D.C.
"In moments of tragedy, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of those lost," Homendy remarked during a news conference in Anchorage. The incident has drawn responses from lawmakers, with Senator Lisa Murkowski and Governor Mike Dunleavy expressing their heartfelt sympathies. The Nome volunteer fire department reported that the pilot had been communicating with air traffic control about entering a holding pattern before disappearing from radar.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that they received notification of the overdue aircraft on Thursday afternoon and reported that the plane had experienced a rapid descent shortly before contact was lost. As recovery efforts continue, local and state officials maintain their focus on supporting the affected families during this tragic time.
