1 of 2 | The U.S. Coast Guard said there are no signs of survivors of 10 people aboard a plane that crashed in Alaska. Photo courtesy U.S. Coast Guard/X
Feb. 7 (UPI) — The U.S. Coast Guard said late Friday that an aircraft matching the description of the one that disappeared in Alaska with 10 people aboard Thursday has been found, and there are no signs of survivors. The Coast Guard in Alaska said it ended its search after the missing aircraft was found approximately 34 miles southeast of Noma. Three victims were found dead at the crash site and the other victims are believed to be inaccessible inside the plane.
On social media, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department said that “from reports we have received, the crash was not survivable.”
Federal and local authorities had said late Thursday they were searching for a plane with 10 people aboard that had gone missing in western Alaska.
Alaska State Troopers said in a statement that they were contacted about the overdue aircraft at 4 p.m. AST, stating the Bering Air Caravan plane had gone missing while en route from Unalakleet to Nome.
The aircraft was a Cessna Caravan with nine passengers and one pilot on board.
U.S. Coast Guard Alaska said in a statement plane was flying 12 miles offshore en route to Nome when its position was lost.
A HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Kodiak was deployed to the plane’s last known location, the statement said.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, earlier expressed sorrow at the incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers, their families and the rescue crew,” he said.