Plane missing between Unalakleet and Nome

UPDATE 8:30 a.m.:

UPDATE 8:40 p.m.: 15 searchers from the White mountain search and rescue crew are going to meet up with Nome SAR volunteers who are near mile 16/17 to make a base camp there.

U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs officer Mike Salerno confirned that a HC-130 aircrew from Kodiak is en route and USCG is posting updates on X @uscgalaska.

UPDATE 7:50 pm: Reporter Anna Lionas reports from Nome's Fire Hall where first responders gathered. Here are updates she received from NVFD and SAR Chief Jim West Jr. and NVFD Public Information Officer Danielle Sem:

About ten Search and Rescue volunteers are out on snowmachines and have scoured the region between Nome and Topkok. West said some volunteers returned to Nome, some are staging at mile 17 (of the Nome-Council Hwy),  waiting for the weather to break. They had made it down to Solomon but visibility got poor from there.

West said that the pilot had planned, according to flight service, a pattern hold right about Cape Nome until the runway was approved to landing. "We try to figure the last known position, the glide rate and that’s where we are at right now, between Solomon and Cape Nome, in that general area," West said.

Searchers on the ground have reported an open water lead from Topkok to Safety with ice on the other side, so they could have landed on the ice.

A helicopter from the Alaska National Guard is here in Nome but cannot fly due to poor visibility and icing.

Public Information Officer for the NVFD Danielle Sem added that the Coast Guard’s C-130 is en route and despite previous reports of them being turned around, it is approaching Norton Sound and the area where the plane could be. First responders at Fire Hall monitored the progress of the C-130 on a flight tracker projected on a big screen at Fire Hall. The Air Force has dispatched response from Elmendorf, Sem said. SAR from White Mountain is also coming in.

While NPD was encouraging people with boats, Sem said there was no confirmation from SAR to send out boats.

UPDATE 7 p.m.: The US Coast Guard's C-130 is indeed en route to the area and will scope the area for the plane in order to assist ground crews with gps coordinates. The plane will not land.  Elmendorf is also sending flight support through the Air Force. Ground crews have covered ground all along the coast from Nome to Topkok.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m. UPDATE from NVFD SAR: Our latest information from Flight Service, the pilot of the plane told Anchorage Air Traffic Control that he intended to enter a holding pattern while waiting for the runway to be cleared. Search efforts are expanding as more details emerge.

Nome Police Department seeking community members who own a working flat bottom boat or Jon boat that can assist with search and rescue. Please contact the Nome Police Department non-emergency number (907)443-5262.

ORIGINAL REPORT: A Bering Air plane is missing as it flew back to Nome from Unalakleet on Thursday late afternoon. Bering Air’s David Olson said that the plane is considered missing, it has nine people on board and one crew. “We are actively gathering details and mobilizing emergency assistance,” Olson said.

The last contact was at 3:18 p.m.

Nome Volunteer Fire Department said that they are in an active search, responding to the report of a missing Bering Air caravan.

 “We are currently doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain and have as much up to date information on the event as possible,” reads a statement from NVFD. “Due to weather and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time. National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation has enacted their mass casualty protocol and is standing by.

We ask the public to please think of those who may be missing at this time, but due to weather and safety concerns please do not form individual search parties. Families are encouraged to seek support at Norton Sound Health Corporation.”

NSHC sent out an email that they are standing ready to respond to a community medical emergency. A family center is accepting family members and loved ones in the Norton Sound Regional Hospital’s third floor conference room, a spokesperson said in an email.

First responders are meeting at Nome Firehall to coordinate the response.

This is a developing story. We will update the information as it becomes available and is verified.