Just hours after finding 10 people dead in western Alaska from one of the deadliest plane crashes in the state in 25 years, authorities are racing to recover their remains and the wreckage of the small commuter plane from unstable sea ice before expected high winds and snow.

During a news conference at Nome City Hall Friday afternoon, Lt. Cmdr. Mike Salerno said a Coast Guard helicopter lowered two rescuers onto the sea ice. They identified three people inside the aircraft, and the rest are presumed to also be within the wreckage.

The Cessna Caravan left Unalakleet at 2:37 p.m., and officials lost contact with it less than an hour later, according to David Olson, director of operations for Bering Air. The aircraft was 12 miles (19 kilometers) offshore, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.