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Alaska Plane Crash Linked to Overweight Aircraft in Icy Conditions, NTSB Finds

A preliminary report reveals the Bering Air flight exceeded weight limits by over 1,000 pounds, complicating its ability to handle icing risks.

Overview

  • The February 6 crash of a Bering Air commuter plane killed all 10 onboard and was one of Alaska's deadliest in recent years.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) found the plane was 1,058 pounds overweight for icy conditions and 803 pounds over the maximum weight for any operation.
  • Investigators are examining the role of icing conditions and the plane's anti-icing system, which included a TKS system to prevent ice accumulation.
  • The wreckage was discovered on a drifting ice floe in Norton Sound, complicating search and recovery efforts due to tidal currents.
  • The investigation is ongoing, with a final report on the probable cause expected to take a year or more to complete.