On February 5, 2026, Aviation Law Group, together with co-counsel Clayton and Diemer, filed a wrongful death action in the Superior Court for the State of Alaska, Second Judicial District at Nome, arising from the February 6, 2025, crash of Bering Air Flight 445.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of Stacey Moncur, individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of JaDee Moncur. Mr. JaDee Moncur was one of ten people who lost their lives when Bering Air Flight 445 crashed over Norton Sound while operating a scheduled passenger flight from Unalakleet to Nome.
JaDee was a 52-year-old family man, husband, church leader, and long-time resident of Eagle River. He was an avid hiker and runner who enjoyed hunting for bears, birds, and caribou, as well as combat fishing on the Russian River.
The Accident
Flight 445 was operating under Bering Air’s FAA authority as a scheduled commuter flight. The aircraft, a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, departed Unalakleet in the afternoon of February 6, 2025, during weather conditions that included forecast and reported icing along the route.
Preliminary information released by NTSB investigators indicates that the aircraft was significantly overweight at the time of departure and exceeded both its maximum allowable takeoff weight and its maximum weight for flight into known or forecast icing conditions. The complaint alleges that the aircraft was dispatched and operated outside approved safety limitations and that required safeguards for icing conditions were not adequately followed.
As the flight progressed toward Nome, the recorded data shows a gradual drop in air speed below safe operating limits, followed by a loss of control and rapid loss of altitude. The aircraft ultimately crashed onto ice over Norton Sound, killing all on board.
While the NTSB has not yet released its full investigative docket and evidence remains under federal control, the allegations in the lawsuit are based on currently available information provided by the NTSB and Aviation Law Group’s own investigation of the accident and will be further evaluated as additional evidence becomes available.
Why this case matters
Commercial aviation in Alaska plays a vital role in connecting remote communities. With that responsibility comes a heightened obligation to follow safety rules designed to protect passengers, particularly when operating in challenging weather and environmental conditions.
The lawsuit alleges that basic safety margins were compromised, including weight-and-balance limits and operational decision-making under icing conditions. These limits exist because exceeding them can dramatically reduce an aircraft’s ability to fly safely, especially in icing, where performance margins are already reduced.
“This case is about accountability. Commercial passengers in Alaska rely on air carriers to follow the regulations that are designed to keep flights safe, especially when operating in known icing conditions. The allegations in this case describe how Bering Air’s failure to abide by those safety regulations cost ten people their lives.”
Robert F. Hedrick, counsel for the Moncur family
This case is not only about compensating the Moncur family for their devastating loss. It is also about accountability, aviation safety, and seeing that such a crash does not happen again. Civil litigation serves as one of the mechanisms by which unsafe practices are examined and corrected, helping prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Aviation Law Group’s Role
Aviation Law Group represents families affected by serious aviation accidents nationwide. We work alongside investigators, engineers, and aviation experts to determine what happened, why it happened, and whether safety rules were violated.
We extend our continued condolences to all families affected by the loss of Flight 445. We are committed to pursuing the facts and holding responsible parties accountable through the legal process.
With this lawsuit, Aviation Law Group aims to get answers that the families deserve for their heart-wrenching losses.
If you have any information about the Bering Air accident or are a friend or family member of anyone involved in the accident, we invite you to contact us to discuss the current status of our investigation, to answer any questions, or to discuss any legal issues related to the accident. info@aviationlawgroup.com or direct at (206) 251-5915.