Search efforts hampered by severe weather conditions
In a developing aviation emergency, Bering Air Flight 445 has disappeared from radar over the Norton Sound area of the Bering Sea, carrying nine passengers and one pilot. The commercial flight, operating a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, lost contact Thursday afternoon from Unalakleet to Nome, Alaska.
Timeline of disappearance
The aircraft departed Unalakleet at 2:37 PM local time and was last detected at approximately 3:16 PM over Norton Sound, about 40 minutes before reaching its intended destination of Nome, a remote city situated 535 miles northwest of Anchorage.
Alaska State Troopers confirmed the incident in an official statement: “On February 6, 2025, at 4:00 pm, AST was contacted by AKRCC about an overdue aircraft. It was reported that a Bering Air Caravan had gone missing while en route from Unalakteet to Nome, with 9 passengers and 1 pilot on board. SAR crews are working to get to the last known coordinates. Updates to follow.”
Search operation challenges
Severe weather conditions are significantly hampering rescue efforts. Kawerak spokesperson Danielle Sem told Alaska Public Media News, “Right now air support is not available because of the weather and icing, so we’re doing a ground effort right now.”
Recent aviation incidents
This disappearance follows a series of recent aviation tragedies:
- A US-contracted surveillance plane crashed in Maguindanao del Sur, Philippines, on Thursday morning, resulting in four fatalities, including one US military service member
- A collision between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines regional jet near Washington’s Reagan Airport last week claimed 67 lives
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as search efforts continue and more information becomes available.
