Probe cites history of overweight flights, inadequate oversight in crash that killed 10 off Alaska
Investigators said the pilot lost airspeed while managing icing, and the National Transportation Safety Board said the Federal Aviation Administration missed routine overweight flights.
- The National Transportation Safety Board released a report Thursday blaming an overweight flight and pilot error for the February 2025 crash that killed all 10 people on board in Western Alaska.
- Inadequate oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to the tragedy, as investigators found Bering Air routinely operated flights above weight limits despite rapid growth after a competitor's bankruptcy.
- Pilot Antill, distracted by 'severe icing conditions,' lost situational awareness while managing the de-icing system, causing the Cessna Grand Caravan to stall and lose altitude rapidly during approach.
- NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called for enhanced pilot training and stricter Federal Aviation Administration oversight, while Bering Air implemented new cargo and weight-limit procedures following the investigation.
- Families of the 10 victims have filed wrongful death lawsuits this year, accusing Bering Air of knowingly flying an overweight plane into dangerous conditions, threatening the vital Alaskan aviation lifeline.
63 Articles
63 Articles
Flying too slow while overloaded in icy conditions caused last year's deadly commercial plane crash in Alaska
A pilot of an overloaded commuter plane appears to have been distracted by icy conditions and didn’t pay attention to his airspeed, leading to a crash that killed all 10 people onboard in February 2025, according to the NTSB
NTSB: Pilot’s management of overweight plane in icy weather led to Bering Air crash that killed 10
“The tragedy of Flight 445 was not the result of a single failure, but a series of preventable breakdowns that eroded critical safety margins,” NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said.
Flying too slow while overloaded in icy conditions caused last year’s deadly commercial plane crash in Alaska
A pilot of an overloaded commuter plane appears to have been distracted by icy conditions and didn’t pay attention to his airspeed, leading to a crash that killed all 10 people onboard, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded Thursday.
Associated Press News
Probe cites history of overweight flights, inadequate oversight in crash that killed 10 off Alaska
Federal investigators report that a commuter plane crash off Alaska last year, which killed all 10 people on board, involved an operator with a history of overweight flights.
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