9 Feb: The remains of all ten individuals who perished in a devastating plane crash over the Bering Sea have been recovered, authorities confirmed on Saturday. Recovery teams, racing against an incoming winter storm, successfully retrieved the bodies from the ice-covered wreckage.
The ill-fated Bering Air single-engine turboprop was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it vanished on Thursday afternoon. Following an extensive search, the wreckage was discovered the next day, confirming the tragic loss of all nine passengers and the pilot. The incident marks one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Alaska in 25 years.
Challenging Recovery Efforts on Unstable Ice
According to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy, the aircraft was found on an ice floe drifting approximately five miles (8 kilometers) per day, posing significant challenges for recovery teams.
“We are committed to determining the cause of this accident with the goal of improving aviation safety across Alaska and the United States,” Homendy stated during a press conference.
A Black Hawk helicopter was deployed to assist in moving the aircraft after the bodies were retrieved. However, the National Weather Service had warned of worsening conditions, with snow and winds up to 45 mph (72 km/h) expected to impact the region through Sunday.
Community Mourns as Officials Investigate
Among the victims were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, who had traveled to Unalakleet to service a heat recovery system essential to the local water plant.
“These two dedicated individuals lost their lives in service to others,” said David Beveridge, vice president of environmental health & engineering for the organization. “The impact of this loss will be felt throughout Alaska.”
Authorities have yet to release the names of the other victims. Officials confirmed that all on board were adults, and the flight was part of Bering Air’s scheduled commuter service.
During an emotional news conference, Nome Mayor John Handeland expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy:
“Nome is a strong community. In difficult times, we stand together. I know we will continue to support each other as we process this devastating loss.”
Crash Investigation Underway
The Cessna Caravan departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. Thursday, losing contact less than an hour later, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) southeast of Nome.
Radar forensic data from the U.S. Civil Air Patrol revealed that at approximately 3:18 p.m., the plane experienced a rapid loss of altitude and speed due to an unspecified event. However, officials have not confirmed any distress signals from the aircraft.
“If the plane’s emergency locator had been activated upon contact with seawater, it would have transmitted a distress signal to the Coast Guard,” said Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble. “No such signal was received.”
The U.S. Coast Guard initiated an immediate air and sea search, deploying helicopters to survey the last known coordinates. Two rescue swimmers were later lowered onto the ice to inspect the wreckage.
The NTSB has dispatched a team of nine investigators from across the country to determine the cause of the crash.
Alaska’s Unique Air Travel Challenges
Air travel is a lifeline for many Alaskan communities, where roads do not connect many remote areas. Small planes are commonly used for transportation, freight delivery, and even high school sports teams traveling to competitions.
Bering Air, which operates across 32 villages in western Alaska, has been a crucial link for these communities. The airline has twice-daily scheduled flights from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet.
In a statement, Bering Air conveyed its condolences:
“Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this tragic event. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of those affected.”
A support hotline has been established for the families of the victims, and the airline has assured its full cooperation with authorities.
A Series of Recent U.S. Aviation Accidents
This tragedy marks the third major U.S. aviation accident in just eight days:
- Jan. 29 – A commercial jetliner and Army helicopter collided near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people.
- Jan. 31 – A medical transport plane crashed in Philadelphia, resulting in six fatalities on board and another on the ground.
With Nome and Unalakleet both deeply affected by this loss, prayer vigils were held to honor the victims, their families, and the first responders involved in the search and recovery efforts.
