Search and rescue operations are continuing off the coast of Massachusetts after the U.S. Coast Guard located debris from a missing medical transport aircraft. The Gulfstream G100 jet vanished early Saturday morning near Nantucket Island while en route from Bermuda to Boston with six people on board.
The aircraft, a Canadian-registered air ambulance operated by Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, departed LF Wade International Airport in Bermuda at 12:41 a.m. on Saturday. It carried four crew members and two passengers, consisting of four Canadian nationals and two Bermudian nationals, according to official statements from the Coast Guard and the Bermuda airport operator, Skyport.
Flight Disappearance and Emergency Communications
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officials issued a search-and-rescue alert notice at approximately 1:20 a.m. local time on Saturday after losing contact with the flight. Flight tracking data from FlightAware shows the jet was cruising at 24,000 feet before rapidly descending thousands of feet over a two-minute window.
Air traffic control audio reveals that the pilot declared an emergency amid reported electrical failures. During communications with New York and Boston controllers, air traffic personnel struggled to maintain clear contact with the cockpit. According to audio recordings reviewed by media outlets, a controller asked the pilot, “You said you’re coming in blind? Is that what you said?” When communication ceased entirely, controllers even requested that a nearby Ethiopian Airlines flight attempt to relay messages to the struggling aircraft, with no response.
Current Search and Rescue Operations
The U.S. Coast Guard deployed multiple assets, including search and rescue planes, a helicopter, and motor lifeboats, to scan the waters south of mainland Massachusetts near Nantucket Island. By Saturday evening, recovery crews confirmed finding a debris field in the area matching the profile of the missing jet.
The Coast Guard Cutter William Sparling maintained active search operations through the night. Authorities have notified the next of kin for all six individuals on board. Local and international officials, including Bermuda Premier David Burt and Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon, stated they are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating directly with U.S. authorities.
The FAA, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board and international partners, is continuing to investigate the exact sequence of events that led to the sudden descent and disappearance of the medical transport flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of aircraft was involved in the incident?
The aircraft was a Gulfstream G100 twin-engine jet operating as a medical transport air ambulance.
Who operated the missing air ambulance?
The flight was operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, an organization based in Ontario, Canada, that provides specialized medical evacuation services.
How many people were on board the flight?
There were six people on board the aircraft: four crew members and two passengers. The roster included four Canadian nationals and two Bermudian nationals.
Where was the flight traveling from and to?
The plane took off from LF Wade International Airport in Bermuda and was scheduled to land at Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.
What caused the aircraft to disappear?
While investigations are ongoing, air traffic control recordings and flight data indicate the pilot declared an emergency due to electrical failures before the aircraft experienced a rapid descent near Nantucket.
