Debris field found in search for missing Bermuda-to-Boston medical jet as hunt for six continues

The United States Coast Guard has confirmed that a debris field found off Nantucket belongs to the Latitude Air Ambulance medical jet that vanished early Saturday with six people aboard on a flight from Bermuda to Boston.

“Coast Guard search crews located a debris field that has been confirmed to be associated with the missing aircraft,” the Coast Guard said later on Saturday, adding that crews would continue searching through the night. Search efforts continued into Sunday.

The Gulfstream G100 was flying at 24,000 feet for more than an hour before plunging 13,000 feet in two minutes, according to FlightAware data. It had departed Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport just after 12:40 a.m. for Boston Logan, where it was due at around 1:12 a.m. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a search and rescue alert at around 1:20 a.m.

LiveATC.net audio captured a controller asking: “Roger, you said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?” and “Are you declaring an emergency or no?” No response from the aircraft was audible.

The four-person crew — two pilots and two medical staff — were Canadian, said Clarence Togeretz, Latitude’s director of flight operations, speaking to CBC. The other two aboard, a patient and their relative, were Bermudian nationals, the Coast Guard said, adding that families have been notified. Canada’s transport minister, Steven MacKinnon, said on Saturday: “My thoughts are with all those on board, as well as their families, loved ones, and colleagues, during this extremely difficult time.”

Sources: CNN; The Economic Times