Alaska plane that crashed and left 10 dead was more than 1,000 pounds over the weight limit, NTSB finds

The Bering Air formation that precocious crashed successful oversea crystal disconnected Alaska, sidesplitting 10, was much than 1,000 pounds "over the maximum takeoff gross value for formation into known oregon forecast icing conditions," according to a caller study by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). 

The commuter formation was traveling from Unalakleet to Nome erstwhile it disappeared connected Feb. 6. The U.S. Coast Guard recovered the plane’s wreckage days later, connected oversea crystal astir 30 miles southeast of Nome.  

"Post-accident introspection of the airplane contents indicated that the baggage and cargo weighed astir 798 lbs. Based connected that information, the airplane’s estimated gross takeoff value astatine departure was astir 9,865 lbs, which was astir 1,058 lbs implicit the maximum takeoff gross value for formation into known oregon forecast icing conditions," the NTSB said successful a preliminary study this week. 

"The last outer tracking information constituent corresponded to a clip of 1520:17 and an altitude of 200 ft," it added. 

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE ALASKA PLANE CRASH VICTIMS 

This photograph provided by the U.S. Coast Guard connected Feb. 7, 2025, shows the Bering Air level that crashed successful occidental Alaska portion traveling to Nome. (U.S. Coast Guard/AP)

The NTSB said successful the study that the plane, a Textron Aviation 208B, "was equipped with a TKS crystal extortion strategy that included porous titanium panels on the starring edges of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, and helping struts." 

"The TKS strategy was designed to supply crystal extortion fluid from a vessel successful the cargo pod to the panels, propeller, and windshield to forestall the accumulation of airframe ice," it continued. 

The NTSB cited a aviator operating handbook supplement relating to the TKS strategy arsenic saying "that the maximum allowable takeoff gross value for formation into known oregon forecast icing conditions was the aforesaid arsenic that of the basal airplane, which was 8,807 lbs." 

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"FAA records revealed that the airplane was equipped with an Aircraft Payload Extender III (APE III) system," which "provided for an accrued maximum gross takeoff value of 9,062 lbs," the NTSB added. 

However, astatine the clip of the crash, the level was inactive "about 803 lbs implicit the maximum gross takeoff value for immoderate formation cognition nether the APE III formation manual supplement," according to the NTSB. 

ALASKA CREWS RECOVER REMAINS OF ALL 10 PLANE CRASH VICTIMS 

Ice accumulation was observed by investigators connected the rear stabilizers of a level that crashed portion successful formation to Nome. (National Transportation Safety Board/AP)

"A elder NTSB aerospace technologist volition behaviour a elaborate reappraisal of the airplane’s show arsenic portion of the investigation, including an valuation of the airplane’s halfway of gravity location," it said successful the report. 

The NTSB besides said the aviator progressive successful the clang "had accumulated astir 2,500 hours full formation time, including 1,060 hours successful 208B airplanes." 

Victims Rhone Baumgartner, 46, and Kameron Hartvigson, 41, boarded the formation to Nome aft traveling to Unalakleet to enactment connected a vigor betterment strategy servicing the community’s h2o plant, The Associated Press cited the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium arsenic saying. 

This representation released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows crystal accumulation that was observed by investigators connected the basal of the beacon/strobe airy located astatine the apical of the vertical stabilizer, connected Feb. 7, 2025, the time aft after a tiny commuter level that crashed successful occidental Alaska connected a formation that was bound for the hub assemblage of Nome.  (NTSB/AP)

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The aviator killed successful the clang was identified arsenic Chad Antill, 34, of Nome. The different victims, according to the Anchorage Daily News, were Liane Ryan, 52, of Wasilla; Donnell Erickson, 58, of Nome; Andrew Gonzalez, 30, of Wasilla; Jadee Moncur, 52, of Eagle River; Ian Hofmann, 45, of Anchorage; Talaluk Katchatag, 34, of Unalakleet, and Carol Mooers, 48, of Unalakleet. 

Fox News Digital’s Pilar Arias contributed to this report.