Families File Lawsuits Against Bering Air After Deadly 2025 Crash

Wrongful death suits allege airline overloaded plane, leading to fatal accident near Nome

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The families of four of the 10 people killed in the February 2025 crash of a Bering Air flight near Nome have filed three separate wrongful death lawsuits against the airline. The suits allege Bering Air breached its duty of care by overloading the aircraft beyond its weight limits, making it unsafe to fly in icing conditions and leading to the deadly accident.

Why it matters

The 2025 Bering Air crash was the deadliest airline disaster in Alaska since 2013, raising concerns about flight safety and oversight in the state's remote regions. These lawsuits could shed light on the causes of the accident and any potential negligence by the airline.

The details

According to the lawsuits, Bering Air Flight 445 was overloaded when it flew into icing conditions on a scheduled flight between Unalakleet and Nome on Feb. 6, 2025. The plane's airspeed dropped below the minimum needed to operate its in-flight deicing system, leading to the crash that killed all 10 people on board, including the pilot. The suits incorporate elements of maritime law since the crash took place offshore.

  • The crash occurred on February 6, 2025.
  • The lawsuits were filed on February 5 and 6, 2026 - the one-year anniversary of the crash.
  • The NTSB has not yet completed its final report on the accident.

The players

Bering Air

The airline operating the flight that crashed near Nome, Alaska in 2025.

Robert Stone

The attorney who filed one of the wrongful death lawsuits against Bering Air.

Chad Antill

The pilot who died in the 2025 Bering Air crash.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As the operator of the flight, Bering Air breached the duty of care it owed to the plaintiffs. Bering Air overloaded the aircraft beyond its gross weight and beyond the limits of weight for flight into known icing conditions, making the aircraft unairworthy and unsafe to fly.”

— Robert Stone, Attorney (alaskabeacon.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on the airline's response to the lawsuits and whether the cases will proceed to trial.

The takeaway

This tragic crash and the subsequent lawsuits highlight the need for rigorous safety standards and oversight in Alaska's remote aviation industry, where small airlines often operate in challenging weather conditions. The outcome of these cases could impact flight regulations and liability for future accidents.