A devastating aviation accident occurred in Alaska on February 6, 2025, when a Bering Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan crashed into the icy waters of Norton Sound. The aircraft was en route from Unalakleet to Nome when it lost radar contact at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time.
Authorities confirmed that all ten individuals onboard—nine passengers and a pilot—died in the crash. The wreckage was discovered the following day, about 34 miles southeast of Nome, on a drifting ice floe in the Bering Sea. The harsh weather conditions and shifting ice have complicated recovery operations, but officials remain committed to bringing closure to the victims’ families.
Victims Identified as Alaska Mourns
Authorities have identified all ten individuals who perished in the crash, including the pilot, Chad Antill of Nome. Among the passengers were Rhone Baumgartner and Kameron Hartvigson, employees of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, who had been in Unalakleet for maintenance work on a water plant.
Other victims included Liane Ryan and Andrew Gonzalez of Wasilla, Ian Hofman and Donnell Erickson of Nome, Jadee Moncur of Eagle River, and Talaluk Katchatag and Carol Mooeres of Unalakleet. The loss has deeply affected Alaska’s close-knit communities, with many expressing condolences and offering support to grieving families.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski shared her sorrow, stating, “Alaska is a big small town. When tragedy strikes, we’re never far removed from those affected.” Governor Mike Dunleavy also expressed his heartbreak, assuring families that authorities would work diligently to recover the victims and investigate the cause of the crash.
Investigation Underway Amidst Harsh Conditions
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the crash, deploying a nine-member team to Anchorage. According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the cause of the accident remains unknown, and investigators are working to analyze flight data and recover any remaining wreckage.
Preliminary reports suggest the aircraft experienced a rapid loss of altitude and speed before disappearing from radar. The Nome Volunteer Fire Department stated that the pilot had been in communication with air traffic controllers and was waiting for clearance to land. However, moments later, contact was lost.
Rescue and recovery teams, including the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Air Force, have been battling worsening weather conditions to retrieve the victims. Officials warned that the ice floe, where the wreckage currently rests, is drifting approximately five miles per day, making recovery efforts even more challenging.
Bering Air Expresses Condolences and Vows Cooperation
Bering Air, the regional airline operating the ill-fated flight, expressed its deep condolences to the families of the victims. In a statement, the airline pledged full cooperation with investigators to determine what led to the crash.
Bering Air has operated in Alaska for decades, providing essential transportation to remote communities. While the airline has a strong safety record, this tragic incident has raised questions about flying conditions in the region, especially during winter months when extreme weather poses heightened risks.
The U.S. Coast Guard had initially sent divers to examine the wreckage, but the aircraft was largely inaccessible due to extensive damage. Officials are now considering using Black Hawk helicopters to lift the wreckage off the ice for further examination.
Aviation Tragedy Adds to a Deadly Week in U.S. Air Travel
This Alaska plane crash marks the third fatal aviation accident in the United States within just eight days, following incidents in Virginia and Philadelphia. The tragic pattern has reignited concerns over aviation safety, particularly in remote and extreme-weather environments.
As the investigation continues, Alaskans have come together to support the families of those lost. Vigils and memorial services are being planned in Nome and Unalakleet, where community members are mourning the devastating loss of their neighbors, friends, and loved ones.
Authorities remain committed to determining the cause of the crash and ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
