A plane with 10 people on board went missing late Thursday night near Nome, Alaska’s westernmost major city, according to officials.
The Cessna Caravan aircraft was flying from Unalakleet to Nome, according to local officials.
White Mountain Fire Chief Jack Adams said the plane disappeared from radar somewhere along the coast from Nome to Topkok. Adams said rescuers are actively combing an approximately 30-mile stretch in the area.
“If they don’t find anything, we’ll probably get another team together to help,” he said.
The Nome Volunteer Fire Department has asked the public not to form separate search teams due to weather conditions and safety concerns. The search is hampered by weather conditions – snow and freezing rain – which has reduced visibility.
As part of the rescue effort, a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft equipped with special search and rescue equipment designed to operate in reduced visibility has already arrived on the scene.
The C-130 aircraft will fly around the grid in an attempt to find the missing location, the department said on its social media page.
