Image Source: The Boston Globe
The coast guard missing plane search off Nantucket entered a critical phase Saturday after crews located debris believed to be from a medical transport jet that disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean. Six passengers and crew members remained unaccounted for late Saturday, according to a US Coast Guard spokesperson.
The Gulfstream G100 was flying from Bermuda to Boston when it vanished south of Nantucket early Saturday morning. The aircraft was carrying a patient, a family member, and a four-person crew operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, an Ontario-based company.
Coast Guard Missing Plane Search Finds Debris Offshore
Coast Guard boats, aircraft, and helicopters were dispatched to the waters south of Nantucket after the medical flight disappeared from radar. The operation expanded as authorities worked to determine the location of the aircraft and assess whether anyone aboard could be rescued.
The plane departed L. F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda at 11:41 p.m. Friday for the approximately 800-mile flight to Boston. Bermuda is one hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Time, placing the aircraft’s final approach during the early morning hours in New England.
According to radio transmissions reviewed by The Boston Globe, the pilot reported electrical failures as the jet approached Nantucket. Air traffic controllers in New York struggled to maintain communication with the aircraft as it descended rapidly toward the Atlantic.
Urgent Final Moments Before Radar Contact Was Lost
At approximately 12:46 a.m., a controller asked the pilot whether the aircraft was declaring an emergency. The pilot’s response was not audible in a recording captured by LiveATC.net, although the controller later confirmed that an emergency had been declared.
FlightAware data indicated that the Gulfstream had been cruising at about 24,000 feet for much of the flight. At approximately 1:04 a.m., however, the plane dropped roughly 13,000 feet in three minutes.
When the jet was about 80 miles south of Nantucket at 1:06 a.m., a dispatcher at Logan International Airport instructed emergency crews to prepare for its arrival. The aircraft was expected to land within 15 minutes but had reportedly lost both radio and radar contact.
Emergency personnel at Logan waited on the runway before receiving word that the aircraft would not arrive. At about 1:36 a.m., a Massport Fire Rescue commander acknowledged a transmission stating that air traffic control could no longer see the plane.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert at approximately 1:20 a.m. and later notified the US Coast Guard at about 2 a.m. of the missing aircraft. The search and rescue mission then moved fully offshore.
Passengers and Crew Remain Unidentified
The four crew members were Canadian citizens, while the two passengers were Bermudian nationals, according to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for Latitude Air Ambulance. Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon declined to identify those aboard.
The Bermuda Gazette reported that the passengers were a patient and the patient’s son. Bermudian officials said they were in contact with the families while coordinating with US authorities.
“We are praying that all six people will be found safe,” Bermuda Premier David Burt said in a statement.
The identities of the passengers and crew have not been publicly released. Officials have also not disclosed the nature of the patient’s medical condition or why the flight was traveling to Boston.
Search Effort Expands Across Nantucket Waters
On Nantucket, police checked the island’s airport for signs of the aircraft but found nothing, Lieutenant Angus MacVicar said. At sunrise, officers and the harbormaster began searching the southern shoreline using all-terrain vehicles.
The discovery of debris could provide investigators with important evidence about the plane’s final moments, including the cause of the steep descent and the reported electrical problems. However, authorities have not said whether the debris confirms the aircraft’s location or whether any survivors have been found.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed support for those involved in the operation. “My thoughts and prayers go out to all on board and all involved,” Healey said at a labor rally in Dorchester.
“We’ll do whatever we can as a state to support efforts there and work with the Coast Guard,” she added.
The coast guard missing plane investigation remains active, with federal, state, and local agencies involved in the response. Families in Bermuda and Canada are waiting for further information as crews continue searching the Atlantic waters near Nantucket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the missing medical plane?
A Gulfstream G100 medical transport jet traveling from Bermuda to Boston disappeared from radar early Saturday after reporting electrical failures and descending rapidly near Nantucket.
How many people were aboard the aircraft?
Six people were aboard: a patient, a family member, and four crew members. All remained unaccounted for late Saturday, according to the US Coast Guard.
Where is the Coast Guard searching?
Coast Guard boats, aircraft, and helicopters are searching the Atlantic Ocean south of Nantucket, while local officials are checking the island’s southern shoreline.
Who operated the medical flight?
The aircraft was operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, an Ontario-based company. The crew members were Canadian citizens, and the passengers were Bermudian nationals.
