UPDATE —
Authorities have identified all six people aboard the medical air ambulance that crashed off Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Bermudian passengers:
Marilyn Lavonne Bean, 66
Sergio Wayne Lottimore, 41
Canadian Captain:
Philip Gregory Childerhose
First Officer:
Thomas Henry Farquhar
Flight Nurse:
Sarah Jane Paton
Respiratory Therapist:
Jolene Beth Weir
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search after approximately 66 hours, following the discovery of aircraft debris.
All six are presumed dead, and investigators continue working to determine the cause of the tragedy.
Our thoughts are with their families, loved ones, and communities as they face this devastating loss.
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NANTUCKET, MASSACHUSETTS — A medical transport aircraft carrying six people is missing in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Nantucket after losing contact with air traffic controllers early Saturday morning.
The Gulfstream G100, registered in Canada as C-GRJP, was operated by Latitude Air Ambulance and was traveling from L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda to Boston Logan International Airport.
Contact Lost During Flight
The aircraft departed Bermuda at approximately 11:40–11:41 p.m. Friday night and was expected to arrive in Boston around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
The FAA issued a Search and Rescue Alert around 1:20 a.m. after communications with the aircraft were lost.
The plane never arrived at
Logan Airport.
Flight-tracking information indicates the aircraft had been flying at roughly 24,000 feet before making a rapid descent to approximately 11,000 feet shortly before contact was lost.
Pilot Reportedly Declared an Emergency
Air-traffic-control recordings indicate that the pilot was having difficulty communicating with controllers.
A controller reportedly questioned whether the aircraft was “coming in blind” and attempted to determine whether the pilot was declaring an emergency.
The pilot’s response was reportedly difficult to hear, but the controller subsequently confirmed that an emergency had been declared.
Authorities have also reported communications concerning a possible electrical issue, but investigators have not established the cause of the aircraft’s disappearance.
Six People Were Aboard
- Two pilots
- Two medical staff members
- One patient
- One family member accompanying the patient
Four of those aboard are Canadian nationals.
The two passengers are reported to be from Bermuda.
Massive Search-and-Rescue Operation
The U.S. Coast Guard has launched both air and surface crews to search for the missing aircraft.
The search area is approximately 13 miles south of Nantucket, according to local reporting.
Search assets include Coast Guard aircraft, a helicopter, a 47-foot motor lifeboat and the USCGC William Sparling.
The FAA is coordinating with the Coast Guard as the search continues.
Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon confirmed that four Canadians were aboard and said Canadian authorities were working with U.S. officials.
Bermuda officials have also been involved because the aircraft departed from Bermuda and two passengers were reportedly Bermudian.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey expressed concern for those aboard and their families and said the state would support the search effort.
The Search Remains Active
This remains an active search-and-rescue operation.
Our thoughts are with the six people aboard this aircraft, their families and loved ones, as well as the Coast Guard and every search-and-rescue professional working to locate them.