Alaska plane with 10 onboard missing in rough weather

Rescue crews are searching in western Alaska after a Bering Air flight carrying 10 people went missing on Thursday. 

The single-engine Cessna 208B Grand Caravan left Unalakleet for Nome but lost contact over Norton Sound at about 3:16 p.m. local time.

Alaska State Troopers said the aircraft was reported overdue around 4 p.m., with nine passengers and one pilot on board. 

Ground and air searches were launched, but poor weather and low visibility have hampered efforts.

Crews from the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Air Force have been scanning the area by plane and ground vehicles.

Officials say strong winds, snow, and freezing drizzle are creating hazardous conditions.

Bering Air, based in Nome, says it serves over 30 Alaskan communities.

The company said staff are “working hard to gather details, get emergency assistance, and rescue operations going.”

Hospitals in the region are on standby, with Norton Sound Regional Hospital setting up a family centre for those awaiting news.

An FBI spokesperson said the bureau is using technical resources to help locate cellphones that might still be transmitting.

By early Friday, no sign of the missing aircraft had been found.

Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan posted that his “thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and the rescue crew.”

Investigators will review weather data and flight records to determine the cause.