Another US passenger plane goes missing over Alaska.
In a tragic incident, a commercial flight carrying 10 people was reported missing Thursday in the northwestern US state of Alaska, according to law enforcement.
Alaska state police said a Bering Air Caravan with nine passengers and one pilot on board was reported overdue on a flight from Unalakleet to Nome at 4:00 pm Alaska Standard Time (0100 GMT).
Interesting read: All about “Alaska Triangle” where over 20,000 people have mysteriously disappeared
The two cities are located roughly 146 miles (235 kilometers) apart from each other across the Norton Sound.
Search and rescue crews “are working to get to the last known coordinates” of the flight, authorities said in a statement.
The missing flight is the latest incident in a recent string of aviation disasters in the United States.
Nome Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement: “We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan.
“We are doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain. Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time.
“National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by.”
The department added: “We ask the public to please think of those who may be missing at this time, but due to weather and safety concerns please do not form individual search parties. Families are encouraged to seek support at Norton Sound Health Corporation.”
The US Coast Guard Twitter account for the Alaska maritime region tweeted: “U.S. Coast Guard District 17 responded to an aircraft emergency notification from Alaska Rescue Coordination Center at 4:30 p.m. today for a Cessna Caravan that reported to have 10 people aboard.
“An HC-130 Hercules aeroplane crew from Air Station Kodiak to search their last known position. The aircraft was 12 miles offshore transiting from Unalakleet to Nome when its position was lost. More information to follow as it becomes available.”
Jet collision
On January 30, a passenger jet collided midair with a US Army helicopter in the capital city of Washington, killing all 67 people aboard.
The disaster was followed closely by the crash of a medical plane into a busy Philadelphia neighborhood, killing seven and injuring 19.
