Nantucket medical plane debris was discovered Saturday night after a Canada-registered air ambulance carrying six people vanished over the Atlantic while flying from Bermuda to Boston, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard said the debris field was confirmed to be from the missing aircraft and that the search for the six on board would continue overnight. Those aboard included four Canadian nationals and two Bermudian nationals.
Officials said the Federal Aviation Administration lost contact with the Gulfstream G-100 around 1 a.m. local time Saturday and issued a Search and Rescue Alert Notice. The jet was registered to Canada-based Latitude Air Ambulance, according to the aircraft tail number provided by the Coast Guard. Flight tracking data shows the plane departed L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda at about 11:40 p.m. ET Friday.
Bermuda airport operator Skyport said the air ambulance departed overnight for Massachusetts with four crew members and two passengers.
Canada’s transport minister, Steve MacKinnon, offered support to those affected, saying authorities are monitoring the situation and coordinating with responders. Bermuda’s government said it is in contact with families of those on board. Premier David Burt said officials are praying all six will be found safe and thanked rescue crews for their efforts.
Search off Nantucket after Nantucket medical plane debris found
Flight tracking indicated the jet went missing after roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes in the air. Data showed a rapid descent from about 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet before contact was lost. The aircraft had been scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan International Airport around 1:30 a.m. local time.
The Coast Guard’s Northeast District said the search area is off the coast of Nantucket. Assets deployed include an HC-144 Ocean Sentry airplane, an HC-130 Hercules airplane, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and the fast response cutter William Sparling. Crews have searched approximately 1,644 square miles over 27 hours, officials said.
This is a developing story. The Trade Wind will update as more information becomes available.
