Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: The Atlantic turned into the focus of a major search operation early Saturday after a medical aircraft carrying six people stopped responding during a flight from Bermuda to Boston. The Gulfstream G100 had departed L.F. Wade International Airport and was expected to reach Boston Logan International Airport, but authorities lost contact with the aircraft before its scheduled arrival. The US Coast Guard has since sent aircraft, helicopters, boats and a cutter to waters south of Nantucket as crews work to locate the plane and determine what happened.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: What Happened to the Bermuda-Boston Plane?
The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 operated by Hamilton, Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, left Bermuda late Friday night or early Saturday morning on its way to Boston.
The US Coast Guard said the aircraft had six people aboard, while airport officials said four were crew members and two were passengers. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Search and Rescue Alert for the aircraft at about 1:20 a.m. Saturday after losing contact.
The aircraft carried the Canadian registration C-GRJP. Authorities have not yet released the names of those on board.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Where is the Missing Plane?
The Coast Guard has focused its search on the Atlantic waters off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Local reporting placed the search area roughly 13 nautical miles south of Nantucket. Coast Guard crews from Station Brant Point are among those taking part in the operation.
The search involves both air and surface resources. The Coast Guard has deployed an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and the USCGC William Sparling. An HC-130 Hercules from Air Station Elizabeth City has also joined the operation.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Flight Lost Contact Before Reaching Boston
Flight-tracking data shows that the aircraft departed Bermuda around 11:40 p.m. Friday and was scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.
The FAA issued the search-and-rescue alert around 1:20 a.m., while the Coast Guard received notification from the FAA at approximately 2 a.m.
FlightAware data also showed a significant change in the aircraft’s altitude before contact was lost. The plane dropped from roughly 24,000 feet to about 11,000 feet within a short period, according to tracking data cited by multiple outlets. Authorities have not said that the altitude change proves the aircraft crashed.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Coast Guard Launches Air and Surface Search
The Coast Guard quickly moved several resources into the area after receiving the alert.
The agency said, “US Coast Guard is searching for a Gulfstream aircraft with 6 persons on board. Federal Aviation Administration reported losing contact w/the aircraft early Saturday morning. USCG air & surface crews have launched in search of the aircraft. Updates will be provided here as info becomes available.”
In a later update, the Coast Guard identified the route and aircraft, “#UPDATE : the plane was traveling from Bermuda to Boston. Current search area is off the coast of Nantucket. Aircraft is a Gulfstream G100 (Tail #CGRJP).”
Officials have continued the search while withholding details about the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Who Was On Board?
Authorities have confirmed that six people were aboard the aircraft, including four crew members and two passengers. The identities of those aboard had not been publicly released at the time of the latest reports.
Canadian reports said the aircraft belonged to Latitude Air Ambulance, an Ontario-based company that operates medical evacuation flights.
One report said the six people included four Canadians and two Bermudian passengers, although officials had not publicly released the identities of those aboard.
Latitude Air Ambulance has operated medical flights since 2009. The company uses Gulfstream aircraft for long-distance medical transport, with aircraft configured to support patients who require medical care during flights.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Latitude Air Ambulance Speaks Out
Clarence Togeretz, director of flight operations at Latitude Air Ambulance, said the company was closely monitoring the search.
“We always get rather concerned when our crew doesn’t report to us in a timely manner,” he told NBC News. “But I will say that again, optimistically and positively, that doesn’t mean that the worst has happened.”
Togeretz said the company has an emergency response plan to deal with incidents involving its missions.
“We always get rather concerned when our crew doesn’t report to us in a timely manner,” he told NBC News. “But I will say that again, optimistically and positively, that doesn’t mean that the worst has happened.”
He added that Latitude Air Ambulance has an emergency response plan in place “absolutely for anything that might occur to any of our missions.”
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Boston Airport Confirms Plane Did Not Arrive
Boston Logan International Airport was expecting the aircraft, but it did not arrive as scheduled.
The Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Logan Airport, expressed concern for everyone aboard the missing aircraft.
“Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues,” a Massport spokesperson said.
Emergency crews had prepared for the aircraft’s arrival, but the plane never reached Boston.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Is the Missing Plane Confirmed to Have Crashed?
No. Authorities have not confirmed a crash.
The Coast Guard has described the aircraft as missing and continues to search for it off Nantucket. Search teams are looking for the plane and any possible signs of its location.
Tracking data shows that the aircraft lost contact after a significant descent, but that information alone does not establish what happened to the plane. The cause of the loss of contact also remains unknown.
The National Transportation Safety Board is monitoring the situation and gathering information, according to the Associated Press.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Bermuda Triangle Connection? What We Know
The disappearance has also drawn online attention because the flight originated in Bermuda, an area often associated with the Bermuda Triangle.
However, there is currently no evidence connecting this incident to any unusual or unexplained phenomenon associated with the Bermuda Triangle.
The aircraft was flying a routine route between Bermuda and Boston when authorities lost contact with it. Investigators have not identified a cause for the disappearance, and search crews are still working to locate the aircraft.
Bermuda-Boston Plane Missing: Search Operation Remains Underway
The US Coast Guard continues to search the waters south of Nantucket using multiple aircraft and vessels. Local Coast Guard personnel, aviation crews and surface vessels remain involved in the operation.
Officials have not yet announced the whereabouts of the aircraft or provided further details about the six people aboard.
The search remains focused on locating the Gulfstream G100 and establishing what happened during the final stage of its journey from Bermuda to Boston.
