10 bodies recovered after Bering Air crashes in Alaska

The Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed the news on Feb. 8, stating on Facebook, "All ten individuals aboard the Bering Air plane have been officially brought home." The recovery effort was expedited due to an impending winter storm. Crews are now focused on retrieving the aircraft wreckage.

The Bering Air turboprop, a single-engine plane, disappeared en route from Unalakleet to Nome on Feb. 6. The wreckage, along with the deceased, were found the following day. This crash is among the deadliest in Alaska in the past 25 years.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy addressed the press on Feb. 10, explaining the challenging recovery conditions due to the plane's location on a drifting ice floe, moving approximately 5 miles daily. "We'll work diligently to determine how this happened," Homendy assured, "with the ultimate goal of improving safety in Alaska and across the United States."

The recovery operation was conducted amidst unstable, slushy sea ice, while the National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning, forecasting snow and winds up to 45 mph.

Among the deceased were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, who were in Unalakleet to service a crucial heat recovery system for the community's water plant, according to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. "The loss of these two incredible individuals and everyone else on board the plane will be felt all over Alaska," said David Beveridge, the organization's vice president of environmental health and engineering.

The 34-year-old pilot, Chad Antill of Nome, also perished in the crash, along with nine passengers aged 30 to 58. Alaska State Troopers Lt. Ben Endres confirmed the flight was a regularly scheduled commuter trip.

A photo released by the Coast Guard depicted the shattered remains of the plane on the ice, with two people in emergency gear surveying the scene.

"It's hard to accept the reality of our loss," U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski stated at a news conference.

Nome Mayor John Handeland, visibly emotional, spoke of the tragedy and the community's response. "Nome is a strong community, and in challenging times we come together and support each other," he said. "I expect the outpouring of support to continue in the coming days as we all work to recover from this tragic incident."

The Cessna Caravan departed Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m. on Feb. 6, and contact was lost less than an hour later, according to Bering Air Director of Operations David Olson. The National Weather Service reported light snow, fog, and a temperature of 17 degrees Fahrenheit at the time. The Coast Guard confirmed the plane went down approximately 30 miles southeast of Nome.

U.S. Civil Air Patrol radar data indicated "some kind of event" at approximately 3:18 p.m., causing "a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss in speed," according to Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble. The cause of this event remains unknown. McIntyre-Coble also confirmed that no distress signals were received from the aircraft, despite its emergency locating transmitter.

The wreckage was located by helicopter, and two rescue swimmers were deployed to the site, according to U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Mike Salerno. The NTSB dispatched a nine-person team to investigate the crash.

Due to Alaska's vast terrain and limited road infrastructure, small plane travel is essential. This crash marks the third major aviation incident in the U.S. within eight days, following a jetliner/helicopter collision near Washington, D.C., and a medical transport plane crash in Philadelphia.

Bering Air serves 32 villages in western Alaska from hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet, offering twice-daily scheduled flights to most destinations.

"Our hearts are heavy with grief as we process this heartbreaking news," Bering Air stated on its website. "At this time, our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those affected by this tragedy." The airline established a phone line for updates and support and requested privacy for those involved, pledging full cooperation with authorities.

Unalakleet, a community of approximately 690 people, is located about 150 miles southeast of Nome. Nome, a former Gold Rush town located just south of the Arctic Circle, is the endpoint of the Iditarod sled dog race. The city announced prayer vigils for the victims, their families, and the rescue teams.