A single-engine turboprop plane belonging to Bering Air in the US crashed while conducting a flight of approximately 150 miles (240 kilometers) between Unalakleet and Nome, resulting in the loss of 10 lives.

The airplane crash that occurred on February 6th marked one of the deadliest airplane accidents in Alaska this century and the third major aviation disaster in the US within eight days. Earlier, on January 29th, a collision between a commercial passenger plane and a military helicopter near Washington, DC, resulted in the loss of 67 lives. On January 31st, a medical evacuation plane crashed in Philadelphia, claiming the lives of six individuals on board and one on the ground. According to the preliminary report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) regarding the crash, the plane was carrying half a ton more weight than its capacity. Bering Air’s Director of Operations, David Olson, stated that they lost contact with the aircraft shortly after takeoff, less than an hour into the flight.NEARLY HALF A TON OF EXCESS CARGO

The report highlighted that the airplane was overweight for conditions that could have caused icing at the speed and altitude at which the flight was operating. The ultimate report on the crash is expected to be published later. An examination conducted after the crash determined that the estimated takeoff weight of the airplane was approximately 9,865 pounds (4,475 kilograms). This figure was about 1,058 pounds (480 kilograms) more than the maximum takeoff weight estimated for a flight where icing conditions were anticipated. The Cessna Caravan type of aircraft vanished about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Nome. Following extensive search efforts, the wreckage was located the next day on an ice mass where it had drifted. The pilot and all nine passengers on board lost their lives. Radar data provided by the US Civil Air Patrol revealed that the airplane experienced a sudden loss of altitude and speed, although the exact reason for this is not yet clear. US Coast Guard officials stated that the aircraft did not send any emergency signals.