A plane which matches the description of one has been found.

Ten bodies have also been discovered inside the aircraft found on sea ice. It is thought it is the doomed Bering Air plane, which failed to reach in Nome, in Alaska yesterday.

The alarm was raised but near white-out weather conditions hampered the urgent search for the aircraft, which had left Unalakleet in the same state, with nine passengers and one pilot.

Cameron Snell, a spokesperson for the US Coast Guard, said crews had not been able to fully open the plane found on sea ice in Alaska. He said: "Right now we just know that there’s three (bodies)."

Earlier, the Nome Volunteer Fire Department said in a statement: "We are currently responding to a report of a missing Bering Air caravan. We are doing an active ground search from Nome and from White Mountain.

“Due to and visibility, we are limited on air search at the current time. National Guard and Coast Guard and Troopers have been notified and are active in the search. Norton Sound Health Corporation is standing by."

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All 10 people on board the plane were adults, and the flight was a regularly scheduled commuter trip. A Federal Aviation Administration weather camera near Nome appeared to show near-whiteout conditions over several hours Thursday afternoon, according to Alaska’s News Source. They said: “We ask the public to please think of those who may be missing at this time, but due to weather and safety concerns please do not form individual search parties. Families are encouraged to seek support at Norton Sound Health Corporation."

Alaska State Troopers had said in a statement: "AST was contacted by AKRCC in reference to an overdue aircraft. It was reported a Bering Air Caravan had gone missing while en route from Unalakleet to Nome, with nine passengers and one pilot on board. SAR crews are working to get to the last known coordinates. Updates to follow."

Nome, a Gold Rush town, is just south of the Arctic Circle and is known as the ending point of the 1,000-mile (1,610-kilometer) Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

Bering Air, which is a commercial airline based in Alaska, has been approached for comment. The incident in Alaska comes days after over the Potomac River in Washington DC.

Speaking on Friday, David Olson, director of operations for the airline, said: "Staff at Bering Air are working hard to gather details, get emergency assistance, search and rescue going."