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The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed debris from a missing Ontario-based air ambulance carrying four Canadians and two Bermuda nationals was found off Nantucket, as the search for the six people continues.
The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that debris found off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, is associated with a missing Ontario-based air ambulance that was carrying six people, including four Canadians.
The Gulfstream G100, operated by Hamilton, Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, disappeared early Saturday while flying from Bermuda to Boston. The aircraft had the tail number C-GRJP. Rear-Admiral Matthew W. Lake said Sunday that the Coast Guard had been searching for about 53 hours and confirmed the debris field is from the aircraft. The Coast Guard has now searched roughly 2,840 square miles, or about 7,355 square kilometres.
An earlier update said 1,644 square miles had been covered over approximately 27 hours. Lake described the search area as large and demanding. He said crews will continue to evaluate all available information as the operation progresses, adding that the priority is to locate the six personnel on the aircraft. My thoughts and those of every Coast Guard crew member are with the families on that aircraft, Lake said.
He added that next of kin have continued to receive updates on the search. The Coast Guard is using fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, boats and cutters. It is working with the New York National Guard's Air Rescue Wing and Massachusetts authorities. Capt.
John McTamney, chief of response for the northeast district, said weather has not been a factor. We'll continue to search and saturate the area until we're at the point where we are confident that if there were any survivors remaining on the surface of the water, we would have found them, he said. The Coast Guard was first notified by the Federal Aviation Administration at about 2 a.m. Saturday that it had lost contact with the Gulfstream G100.
Missing Plane Flight Details And Passengers
The aircraft departed Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport at 12:41 a.m. Saturday and was headed for Boston Logan International Airport. It had arrived in Bermuda from Hamilton the previous night. Clarence Togeretz, Latitude Air Ambulance's operations manager, said the flight was carrying a patient and a family member who were Bermuda nationals.
The two pilots and two medical staff aboard were Canadians. Togeretz said the company lost contact with the aircraft around 1:30 a.m. as it approached Boston. Latitude reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard when the aircraft failed to reach the tarmac. We're praying for a safe outcome, Togeretz said.
He noted this is the first time Latitude Air Ambulance has lost contact with one of its planes. Air traffic control audio captured by LiveATC.net indicates the pilot declared an emergency before contact was lost. The pilot reported electrical problems as the jet approached the coast. Roger, you said you're coming in blind.
Pilot Emergency Declaration And Aircraft Issues
Is that what you said? a controller can be heard asking the pilot. The controller later confirmed the pilot was declaring an emergency. Mary Schiavo, a former Inspector General of the Transportation Department and an aviation attorney, said the audio suggests the plane may have lost its navigational instruments as a storm moved across its path on radar.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft dropped from 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet in about two minutes before levelling off and disappearing from the tracking data. Something bad happened with this big drop, and they flew into this big storm. It's a terrible place to have a loss of your instruments and be flying blind, Schiavo said.
It's very easy to get disoriented and not know if you're turning, climbing, descending, etc. Latitude Air Ambulance's website says it currently has four G100 jets in its fleet, each with a range of 5,000 km. Ontario's air ambulance service provider Ornge said in a statement on X that its thoughts are with colleagues at Latitude Air Ambulance. All of us at Ornge are hopeful the aircraft and all passengers are located safely and quickly, it said.
Canadian Officials Response And Monitoring Situation
Ornge noted the flight was not related to its operations. Canada's Transportation Minister, Steven MacKinnon, said his department is aware of the situation and is closely monitoring it. My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time, he said. We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue.
I want to thank all first responders involved for their ongoing efforts, MacKinnon said. Global Affairs Canada said it was aware of reports of Canadians on board the missing air ambulance. Consular officials stand ready to provide consular assistance and are in contact with local authorities. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed, the department said in a statement.
A spokesperson for the Bermuda government confirmed the air ambulance's departure from Bermuda to Boston. Officials said they have been in contact with the families of those on board and with the U.S. Coast Guard conducting the search. Bermuda Premier David Burt said his thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time.
We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts, he said. The Coast Guard said it will continue its search and provide additional information as the investigation develops.
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CP24:‘Large and demanding’ search continues after debris found from missing Ontario air ambulanceThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Latitude Air Ambulance U.S. Coast Guard Search Gulfstream G100 Missing Nantucket Debris Field Bermuda To Boston Flight
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