Flight Details and Last Contact
According to David Olson, the airline’s director of operations, the plane took off from Unalakleet, Alaska, at 2:40 p.m. local time. The last known communication was around 3:20 p.m., about 10 minutes before its scheduled arrival in Nome. The aircraft lost radar visibility and radio contact shortly after. The flight had one pilot and nine passengers on board. Names of those on board have not been released.
Ongoing Search Operations
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department confirmed that search crews, including aircraft from the Coast Guard, the National Guard, and the U.S. Air Force, are involved in locating the missing plane. Nome has a population of fewer than 4,000 people, while Unalakleet is home to approximately 700 residents.
Pilot’s Last Communication
Before the aircraft disappeared, the pilot informed air traffic control in Anchorage about plans to enter a holding pattern. This was due to the need for runway clearance at Nome, as stated by the fire department.
Authorities Respond
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that it is monitoring the situation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not provided an immediate response regarding the incident.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and further updates are expected as more information becomes available.This comes amid a spat of plane accidents in the US. Here’s a summary of recent plane accidents in the U.S.:Washington, D.C. On January 29, 2025, an American Eagle Flight No. 5342, operated by PSA Airlines, collided midair with a U.S. Army Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching Reagan Washington National Airport around 9 p.m. local time12. The plane, a regional jetliner, was carrying 60 passengers and four crew members on a flight from Wichita, Kansas1. There were three soldiers aboard the helicopter1. There are no expected survivors from either aircraft3. At least 40 bodies have been recovered.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania On January 31, 2025, a Learjet 55 crashed around 6:30 p.m. local time after departing from Northeast Philadelphia Airport2. Six people were on board, and the plane was en route to Springfield-Branson National Airport in Missouri2. Initial reports indicate seven were killed and 24 injured.
Vero Beach, Florida On January 30, 2025, an Aviat Pitts S-2B crashed in an open field around 10:35 a.m. local time2. Only the pilot was on board.
Santa Barbara, California On January 29, 2025, a Cirrus SR22 crashed near Santa Barbara Municipal Airport around 2:15 p.m. local time2. Two people were on board.
Potrero, California On December 16, 2024, a Eurocopter AS350 crashed near Potrero around 10:15 a.m. local time2. Only the pilot was on board.
West Palm Beach, Florida On December 14, 2024, the left main gear of a twin-engine Cessna 340 collapsed while landing at Palm Beach County Park Airport around 4:15 p.m. local time2. Only the pilot was on board.
White Plains, New York On December 12, 2024, a single-engine Tecnam P-2008 crashed near Westchester County Airport around 7:15 p.m. local time after the pilot reported engine issues2. Two people were on board.
