NANTUCKET, Massachusetts — A major search-and-rescue operation remains underway in the Atlantic Ocean after crews discovered debris connected to a medical transport aircraft that disappeared while carrying six people from Bermuda to Boston.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that search crews located a debris field associated with the missing Gulfstream G100, registration C-GRJP, south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
Despite the discovery, authorities have not reported finding any of the six people aboard, and crews continue searching the surrounding waters.
The aircraft was operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, a medical transportation company based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Six people were traveling aboard the aircraft
The flight was carrying six people: two pilots, two medical crew members, one patient and one family member.
The four crew members are Canadian citizens, while the patient and accompanying relative are Bermudian nationals.
As of the latest official information, authorities have not publicly released the names of the six people aboard.
Latitude Air Ambulance operations manager Clarence Togeretz confirmed details about the nationalities and composition of those aboard.
Bermuda Premier David Burt has also addressed the disappearance, saying Bermuda’s government remains in contact with the families and authorities involved in the search.
Flight left Bermuda for Boston
The aircraft departed L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda late Friday, October 2, for a medical flight to Boston Logan International Airport.
Airport spokesperson Ciara Eve said the aircraft departed Bermuda at approximately 11:41 p.m. Eastern time, or 12:41 a.m. Saturday in Bermuda.
The journey was expected to cover roughly 800 miles before reaching Boston.
The aircraft never arrived.
Pilot reported electrical problems before contact was lost
Information emerging from air-traffic-control communications indicates the aircraft developed electrical problems as it approached the waters south of Nantucket.
Controllers experienced difficulty communicating with the crew as the situation unfolded.
During one exchange, a controller attempted to determine whether the pilot was operating without normal instrumentation and whether the crew was declaring an emergency.
Communication remained weak, but the emergency declaration was eventually acknowledged.
Flight-tracking information indicates the Gulfstream had been traveling at approximately 24,000 feet before rapidly descending by about 13,000 feet in roughly three minutes.
At approximately 1:20 a.m. Saturday, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a search-and-rescue alert after communication and radar contact with the aircraft were lost.
Emergency crews at Boston Logan had initially prepared for the aircraft’s arrival, but it never reached the airport.
Massive operation launched south of Nantucket
The Coast Guard deployed multiple resources to search the Atlantic waters surrounding the aircraft’s last known location.
The response has included an HC-144 aircraft and MH-60 helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Brant Point and the Coast Guard cutter William Sparling.
Authorities on Nantucket also participated in the response, including searches along the island’s southern shoreline.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said the state was prepared to support the search operation.
Canadian authorities are also coordinating with their American counterparts. Canada’s Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon has been among the officials following the emergency, while Transport Canada is assisting authorities.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is gathering information surrounding the disappearance.
Debris discovery marks major development
The discovery of aircraft debris represents the most significant confirmed development since the Gulfstream disappeared.
However, officials have not announced the discovery of any of the six occupants, and the operation remains focused on locating them.
The Coast Guard continued searching as conditions allowed, with the William Sparling participating in operations through the night.
Authorities have also not established an official c4use for what happened to the aircraft.
For now, investigators know that the crew experienced electrical difficulties, communication deteriorated and the aircraft underwent a dramatic descent before contact was l0st.
The confirmed debris has narrowed part of the mystery surrounding the aircraft’s disappearance, but the central question remains unanswered: where are the six people who were aboard C-GRJP?
The search continues.