A commuter plane crash in western Alaska has killed 10 people, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years. The single-engine turboprop plane was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome when it disappeared Thursday afternoon and was found the next day after an extensive search.
The plane, operated by Bering Air, had nine passengers and a pilot on board when it went missing. All of those on board were killed in the crash. Crews recovered the remains of the victims from a drifting ice floe before high winds and snow arrived.
The cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board. Radar data suggests the plane rapidly lost elevation and speed, but it’s unclear why this happened. The Coast Guard said no distress signals were received from the aircraft.
Flying is an important mode of transportation in Alaska due to its vast landscape and limited infrastructure. Many communities rely on planes for goods and services. The victims ranged in age from 34 to 58 and included a pilot and several residents of Nome.
This crash marks the third major U.S. aviation mishap in eight days, following two other incidents involving commercial jets and an Army helicopter.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/alaska-plane-crash-recovery-investigation-28c8fd9e0fd1f1d450c94aaef81cc0f1