Breaking: Medical Plane Missing Boston, Debris Found

Image Source: The Boston Globe

The medical plane missing Boston search intensified Saturday after authorities found debris believed to be from an air ambulance that disappeared south of Nantucket. Six people aboard the aircraft remained unaccounted for as US Coast Guard crews worked across the Atlantic Ocean.

The Gulfstream G100 was flying from Bermuda to Boston when it vanished from radar shortly after reporting communication and electrical problems. The aircraft carried a patient, a family member, and a four-person crew operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, an Ontario-based company.

Urgent Search Underway for Medical Plane Missing Boston

Coast Guard boats, aircraft, and helicopters were dispatched after the plane disappeared during the overnight flight. Search teams located debris in the waters south of Nantucket, but officials had not announced the discovery of survivors or confirmed the exact circumstances of the incident.

A Coast Guard spokesperson said Saturday night that the six passengers and crew members were still unaccounted for. The crew members were Canadian citizens, while the two passengers were Bermudian nationals, according to Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for Latitude Air Ambulance.

The Bermudian government said it was in contact with the passengers’ families and US search crews. Bermuda Premier David Burt expressed hope that everyone aboard would be found safe.

Critical Moments Before the Aircraft Disappeared

The plane departed L. F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda at 11:41 p.m. Friday for the roughly 800-mile trip to Boston. Bermuda is one hour ahead of Eastern Daylight Time, meaning the aircraft was approaching the Nantucket area during the early morning hours.

Radio transmissions indicated that the pilot experienced trouble as the Gulfstream approached Massachusetts. An air traffic controller asked whether the crew was declaring an emergency after communication with the aircraft became weak.

“You’re coming in a little weak so I didn’t hear what your response was, if you were declaring an emergency or not,” the controller said, according to recordings reviewed by The Boston Globe. The pilot’s response was not audible, although the controller later confirmed that an emergency had been declared.

FlightAware data showed the jet descending rapidly. After traveling for much of the flight at approximately 24,000 feet, the aircraft dropped about 13,000 feet within three minutes. It disappeared from radar around 1 a.m.

• The flight departed Bermuda late Friday night.
• The aircraft was expected to land at Boston Logan International Airport.
• The pilot reported electrical failures and later declared an emergency.
• The plane descended thousands of feet in roughly three minutes.
• Debris was found south of Nantucket, while all six people remained unaccounted for.

Boston Logan Crews Prepared for Emergency Landing

At approximately 1:06 a.m., the plane was about 80 miles south of Nantucket. A dispatcher at Logan International Airport directed emergency crews to prepare on the runway, saying the aircraft was expected to land within 15 minutes but had lost both “radio and radar.”

Massport Fire Rescue crews waited for the aircraft, but it never arrived. At about 1:36 a.m., a commander confirmed over the radio that air traffic control had lost contact with the Gulfstream. Emergency personnel were later ordered back to headquarters.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued an alert at approximately 1:20 a.m. and notified the Coast Guard about the missing plane around 2 a.m. Nantucket police checked the island’s airport but found no sign of the aircraft.

At sunrise, officers and the Nantucket harbormaster searched the southern shoreline using all-terrain vehicles. The Coast Guard then expanded the operation across the surrounding waters using multiple search platforms.

Families Await Answers as Investigation Begins

Authorities have not identified the people aboard the aircraft. Steven MacKinnon, the leader of Canada’s public transportation agency, declined to release the names of the crew members. The Bermuda Gazette reported that the passengers were a patient and the patient’s son.

Governor Maura Healey said Massachusetts would support the recovery and search operation. Her comments came as state and federal agencies coordinated efforts near Nantucket.

The discovery of debris may help investigators determine the aircraft’s final location and what happened during its rapid descent. Officials will likely examine the plane’s maintenance records, flight data, weather conditions, radio transmissions, and possible electrical-system failures.

For now, the Coast Guard search remains focused on locating the six people aboard and providing answers to their families. The incident has also renewed attention on the challenges of medical air transport over long stretches of open water, where a loss of radar and radio contact can leave rescuers with limited time and information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to the medical plane flying to Boston?

A Gulfstream G100 traveling from Bermuda to Boston disappeared south of Nantucket after reporting electrical problems and losing communication and radar contact.

How many people were aboard the aircraft?

Six people were aboard: a patient, a family member, and four crew members. All remained unaccounted for when debris was discovered.

Where was the missing medical plane located?

The aircraft disappeared approximately 80 miles south of Nantucket. Searchers later found debris in the surrounding Atlantic waters.

Who is leading the search?

The US Coast Guard is leading the search with boats, aircraft, and helicopters. Local authorities on Nantucket and other agencies are assisting.

What caused the plane to disappear?

The cause has not been determined. Radio transmissions indicated electrical failures, while flight data showed a rapid descent before the aircraft vanished from radar.