Update: Flight 8E445 Plane Found in Alaska After Extensive Search Efforts
After days of intense search and rescue operations, officials have confirmed that the missing Bering Air Cessna Caravan (Flight 8E445), which disappeared over Norton Sound on February 6, 2025, has been located. The aircraft was found in the ice-covered waters approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, confirming the loss of all ten individuals on board. Recovery teams, including the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, and state troopers, worked tirelessly under extreme conditions to locate the wreckage, which was identified through aerial surveillance. Authorities have begun the recovery process and are coordinating with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to determine the cause of the crash.
Investigators have started collecting data from radar forensics, flight records, and weather analysis to piece together the aircraft’s final moments. Preliminary reports indicate that rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, including fog, freezing drizzle, and high winds, may have played a significant role in the incident. The NTSB has deployed additional personnel to Nome to conduct further investigations, focusing on potential mechanical failures, pilot decisions, and possible navigation issues. Families of the victims have been notified, and grief counseling services are being made available. The aviation community mourns the loss while emphasizing the need for enhanced safety protocols for flights operating in Alaska’s challenging winter conditions.
N321BA Alaska Flight Carrying 10 Missing
On February 6, 2025, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX. Registration N321BA carrying 9 passengers and 1 pilot disappeared over Norton Sound, Alaska, while en route from Unalakleet to Nome. The single-engine turboprop aircraft lost contact with authorities less than an hour after takeoff, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
The disappearance of this aircraft marks the third major aviation incident in the U.S. within eight days, raising concerns over aviation safety, adverse weather conditions, and the responsibilities of airlines and aviation regulators. Families of the missing passengers are left in uncertainty, awaiting news while rescue crews work tirelessly to locate the plane.
N321BA Flight Details of Missing Plane
- Date of Incident: February 6, 2025
- Aircraft: Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX, single-engine turboprop aircraft
- Flight Route: Unalakleet to Nome, Alaska
- Flight Number: 8E445
- Registration: N321BA
- Passengers: 9 passengers + 1 pilot
- Last Contact: Approximately 3:16 PM, 12 miles offshore over Norton Sound
- Weather Conditions: Fog, light snow, freezing drizzle, visibility down to 0.5 miles, with wind gusts up to 35 mph
- Search Efforts: Conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska State Troopers, Nome Fire Department, and the National Guard
Officials are working to determine the plane’s last known location while ground search crews continue combing the coastline, and aerial search operations are limited due to poor visibility and adverse weather conditions.
N321BA Updates from Search & Rescue Officials
US Coast Guard Update (Lt. Cmdr. Benjamin McIntyre-Coble)
- The Coast Guard received an alert at 4:30 PM about the missing Cessna Caravan (Flight 445).
- Radar forensics indicate the plane lost altitude and speed rapidly at 3:18 PM.
- C-130 aircraft searched overnight, and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter is also involved.
- Breaking update: A search aircraft has spotted an “item of interest”, and a Coast Guard helicopter is being directed to investigate.
Alaska National Guard Update (Alan Brown)
- The National Guard deployed an HC-130 aircraft for a four-hour search overnight.
- An HH-60 helicopter was also dispatched but had to turn back due to bad weather.
- A new Alaska Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk is now searching alongside Coast Guard assets.
Alaska State Troopers Update (Lt. Ben Endres)
- Troopers worked with local search teams and Nome Search & Rescue.
- The passenger manifest was retrieved, and the next of kin was notified.
- No names are being publicly released yet.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Update (Clint Johnson)
- Investigator Stacy Joyce is on the ground in Nome gathering data.
- Nine additional NTSB personnel are traveling to Alaska for investigation.
- They are currently in a documentation phase, awaiting the results of the rescue operation.
N321BA Key Details Questions Addressed by Search & Rescue
Search and Rescue Efforts
- The Coast Guard confirmed this remains an active search and rescue mission.
- No emergency locator transmitter (ELT) signal was received from the aircraft.
- The search is using infrared cameras, high-resolution optics, and ocean current modeling to locate possible debris.
Weather & Flight Conditions
- Air temperature: ~3°F
- Water temperature: ~29°F (with mixed ice conditions)
- Nome Airport conditions: The plane was reportedly in a holding pattern, but reasons are unclear.
Passengers & Flight Information
- All passengers were adults on a regularly scheduled commuter flight.
- The exact flight weight and age of the aircraft will be examined in the NTSB investigation.
Ongoing Investigation
- The FBI is involved, offering specialized equipment for search efforts.
- NTSB will examine the pilot’s experience, aircraft maintenance, and flight history after the search concludes.
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N321BA Possible Causes of the Aircraft Disappearance
The cause of the plane’s disappearance remains unknown, but several potential factors could have contributed:
Severe Weather Conditions
Flying in Alaska during the winter is particularly dangerous due to extreme weather conditions, including freezing drizzle, strong winds, and poor visibility. The fog and snow reported at the time of disappearance may have affected pilot visibility and aircraft stability.
Mechanical or Structural Failure
The Bering Air Caravan is designed to operate in remote and extreme conditions, but mechanical malfunctions, including engine failure, electrical issues, or navigation system failures, could have played a role.
Pilot Error or Navigation Issues
- Loss of spatial awareness due to poor visibility.
- Errors in altitude control while flying over open water.
- Possible deviations from the intended flight path due to turbulence.
Fuel Issues or Mid-Air Emergency
Although unlikely, fuel exhaustion or a sudden mid-air emergency (such as bird strikes, onboard fire, or depressurization) could have forced an unexpected descent into Norton Sound’s freezing waters
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🚨TODAY: A Cessna 208B (Registration N321BA) Grand Caravan flight #8E445 carrying 10 people disappeared from the radar over the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea in Alaska on its way from Unalakleet (UNK airport) to Nome (OME airport). Last reported over Norton Sound at 3:16 p.m.… pic.twitter.com/eJ9AUeQeLs
— AirNav Radar (@AirNavRadar) February 7, 2025
Experts in Aviation Law
- Pilot Certificate Defense
- FAA Medical Denial
- Aircraft Crashes
- FAA DUI Reporting
- Civil Penalties
- NTSB Appeals
- And More!
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