A medical plane vanished off the coast of Nantucket early Saturday morning, triggering a search for six people aboard. The Gulfstream G-100 lost contact with air traffic controllers shortly after 1:00 a.m. local time (6:00 GMT), the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed.
The aircraft had departed Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport at 11:40 p.m. local time, heading to Boston’s Logan International Airport with a scheduled arrival of 1:30 a.m. EDT (6:30 GMT). FlightAware tracking data shows the plane rapidly descended from about 7,300 metres (24,000 feet) to 3,300 metres (11,000 feet) before communications ceased.
The US Coast Guard’s Northeast District launched an air and sea search in the waters near Nantucket, a Massachusetts island, after the disappearance was reported. The plane’s tail number, released by the Coast Guard, identified it as belonging to Latitude Air Ambulances, a company specialising in international medical transport.
Clarence Togeretz, director of flight operations at Latitude, told CBC News the flight carried two Canadian pilots and two Canadian medical staff. The crew had flown to Bermuda to pick up a patient and their relative, who were not Canadian.
Radio transmissions between the pilot and Boston air traffic control revealed problems with communications in the minutes before the plane went dark. The Boston Globe reported exchanges captured by LiveATC.net, where the controller asked, “You’re coming in blind? Is that what you said? Are you declaring an emergency, or no?” The pilot’s reply was unclear.
The controller added, “You’re coming in a little weak, so I didn’t hear what your response was, if you were declaring an emergency or not.” Later, the controller confirmed the pilot had declared an emergency.
An area fire dispatcher alerted emergency crews around 1:00 a.m. EDT to prepare for a plane reporting an “electrical issue.” The dispatcher later confirmed, “The aircraft has lost radio and radar.”
No further communication has been received from the plane or those on board. The search continues with Coast Guard vessels and aircraft combing the waters near Nantucket.
The exact cause of the plane’s sudden descent and loss of contact remains unknown. Investigators have yet to confirm any details about the condition of the passengers or crew.
Latitude Air Ambulances has not released further statements beyond confirming the identities and roles of those aboard.
The disappearance of the Gulfstream G-100 during a routine medical transfer adds to a series of aviation incidents involving small medical aircraft in recent years. The search effort remains active as daylight approaches.
According to Joy Online.
