Awful: Bering Air Plane Crashes In Alaska, With 10 Fatalities

On Thursday afternoon, we saw a small plane with 10 people onboard go missing in Alaska, near the Bering Sea. There’s now an update — the wreckage has been found, and there aren’t believed to be any survivors. What a terrible situation.

Bering Air Cessna Caravan crashes close to Nome, Alaska

This accident happened on February 6, 2025, and involves Bering Air flight 8E445, scheduled to operate the intra-Alaska flight from Unalakleet (UNK) to Nome (OME). There were 10 people onboard, including one pilot and nine passengers. The 147-mile flight was operated by a five-year-old Cessna 208B Grand Caravan with the registration code N321BA.

The flight departed from Unalakleet at 2:37PM, and was expected to arrive in Nome at 4:20PM. However, according to Flightradar24, the plane’s last position was recorded at 3:16PM, at an altitude of roughly 5,300 feet, around 12 miles from the coast, over the Bering Sea. Based on the last data transmitted, the plane had lost some altitude and speed, before disappearing from radar.

At the time, the pilot had informed air traffic control that the plane would begin a holding pattern, while waiting for runway clearance in Nome. The weather conditions weren’t good, with heavy snow and limited visibility. However, there was no further indication of an emergency. The Caravan is a popular aircraft used for service in remote areas, and it has a single engine.

Once the plane went missing, search and rescue efforts were underway, with US Coast Guard and US Air Force aircraft in the area, trying to find the missing plane, and any survivors.

There’s now an update, and unfortunately it’s bad news. On Friday afternoon, authorities found the wreckage of the aircraft, approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, on sea ice. There aren’t believed to be any survivors — three bodies have been recovered, while the other seven haven’t, due to the condition of the wreckage.

My thoughts are with the deceased and their families. May they rest in peace… what a sad loss of life. In response to the accident, the airline has issued the following statement on its website:

We are deeply saddened to share that, following the latest update from the authorities on the scene, it has been confirmed that there were no survivors. Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this heartbreaking news.

At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy. We recognize the profound loss this has caused, and we want to extend our sincerest condolences to everyone impacted.

We remain committed to supporting the authorities and any ongoing efforts to provide assistance. We ask for continued respect and privacy for all those involved during this incredibly difficult time.

Please know that we are doing everything we can to ensure that accurate information is shared promptly, and we will continue to update the public as needed.

Bering Air is a reliable airline with a spotless record

Bering Air is a fascinating and well run little airline. The carrier has been flying since 1979, and has a fleet of 27 aircraft. The carrier’s largest base is in Nome, and it offers both scheduled and charter flights, as well as air ambulance and helicopter services. Historically, the airline has even offered flights to far eastern Russia, given its proximity to Alaska.

Currently, Bering Air serves nearly three dozen destinations in Alaska, and provides vital connectivity to so many small communities. As you might expect, operating in Alaska year-round comes with some really harsh conditions. Despite that, the airline has had a spotless safety record up until now, and obviously has expertise in operating in this challenging area.

Below is a video from a couple of years ago, which shows you the cool operations that this airline has, and the good work they do.

Bottom line

A Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan has crashed in Alaska, while operating a flight over the Bering Sea. The plane initially went missing 12 miles off the coast, while waiting for clearance to land in Nome, the carrier’s base. The wreckage was ultimately found the following day, 34 miles southeast of Nome. My thoughts are with those who lost their lives and their families. How sad…