Wreckage found of small aircraft that vanished over Alaska carrying 10 with no survivors expected

The wreckage of a plane with 10 people onboard which went missing over Alaska has been discovered with three confirmed dead, the US Coast Guard reports.

On February 6, a Bering Air aircraft - carrying nine passengers and one pilot - took off from Unalakleet at 2:37pm and headed to Nome in western Alaska.

However, just before 4pm local time, its radio cut out and it was reported missing with search and rescue efforts immediately launched.

Yesterday (February 7), the Nome Volunteer Fire Department took to Facebook to update the United States Coast Guard had 'located an aircraft matching the description of the missing plane approx. 34 miles southeast of Nome'.

A follow-up post reads: "The Nome Search and Rescue Team is spooling up with assistance from the Alaska Air National Guard with recovery efforts.

"From reports we have received, the crash was not survivable. Our thoughts are with the families at this time."

Indeed, the Coast Guard has since confirmed three of those onboard as having passed away in a post to Twitter, sharing a photograph of the wreckage too.

It added: "The remaining seven people are believed to be inside the aircraft but are currently inaccessible due to the condition of the plane. [...] The Coast Guard determined the severity of the wreckage was beyond the possibility of survival."

The Coast Guard added: "Our heartfelt condolences are with those affected by this tragic incident."

United States Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander Mike Salerno told ABC News the Alaska State Troopers will aid in recovering those who've passed away in the crash.

None of the names of those onboard have been publicly released at this time, however, Nome Volunteer Fire Department stated 'all families of passengers on the missing flight have been notified'.

"Please keep families in your thoughts at this time," it said.

The latest update from the department came earlier today, noting recovery efforts had 'concluded for the evening with the loss of daylight hours and will continue tomorrow'.

An investigation continues into what happened to the aircraft with the National Transportation Safety Board also launching an inquiry.

So far, radar analysis has revealed the plane experienced 'some kind of event which caused them to experience a rapid loss in elevation and a rapid loss and speed' at around 3:18pm, Coast Guard Officer Ben McIntyre-Coble said during a press briefing.

However, he noted: "What that event is, I can't speculate to."

Senator Lisa Murkowski said in a post to Twitter: "My heart is broken over the news out of Nome. Alaska is a big small town. When tragedy strikes, we’re never far removed from the Alaskans directly impacted. But that also means we come together as a community to grieve and heal.

"We are deeply grateful to the Alaska National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, the Alaska State Troopers, and all those who braved dangerous conditions to conduct the search for the downed aircraft.

"All of Alaska is praying for the families and friends of those who lost loved ones, for the Bering Air family, and the communities of Unalakleet and Nome."

UNILAD previously contacted Bering Air for comment.

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