Crews have confirmed that all 10 individuals aboard the Cessna Grand Caravan, which lost contact on a flight from Unalakleet to Nome, have perished in the accident. The crash occurred in Norton Sound, leading to a challenging recovery operation for investigators and specialists on the scene.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, indicated that the investigation was still in its early stages, stressing the uncertainty surrounding the cause of the crash. As recovery crews work through worsening weather conditions, they face the challenge of retrieving the wreckage, which came to rest on an ice floe shifting at five miles daily.
The ill-fated aircraft was carrying nine passengers and a pilot, including Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. They had traveled to Unalakleet for maintenance work on a water facility.
The US Coast Guard confirmed it was notified of the plane’s overdue status shortly after 16:00 local time. The pilot had reportedly attempted to enter a holding pattern waiting for runway clearance, but contact was lost following a sharp decline in altitude and speed.
Alaska’s Senator Lisa Murkowski offered condolences on social media, highlighting the close-knit nature of Alaskan communities during such tragedies. Meanwhile, Governor Mike Dunleavy expressed his heartbreak over the incident, extending thoughts and prayers to all affected.
As recovery efforts continue in the face of adverse conditions, the investigation into this tragic accident will proceed with both speed and rigor to uncover the factors leading to this heartbreaking loss of life.
