A Canadian air ambulance carrying six individuals vanished over the Atlantic Ocean early this morning while on a medical evacuation flight from Bermuda to Boston. According to the United States Coast Guard, the search operation remains active off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, a company based in Hamilton, Ontario, departed Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport at 11:41 p.m. Friday, heading to Logan Airport in Boston.
Flight data collected by The New York Times from FlightAware indicated that the plane maintained a steady altitude of 24,000 feet before descending several thousand feet around 1:05 a.m. Shortly thereafter, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) lost all contact with the aircraft and issued a search and rescue alert at 1:20 a.m.
Coast Guard Conducts Intensive Search
The Coast Guard swiftly deployed aircraft, helicopters, and vessels to the area south of Nantucket. Identified assets included an HC-144A Ocean Sentry and an HC-130J Super Hercules conducting systematic search patterns over the region.
Massport, the port authority managing Logan Airport, confirmed the aircraft did not arrive as expected. “Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues,” a spokesperson stated.
Possible Electrical Emergency on Board
Unverified reports suggest the aircraft may have declared an electrical emergency in-flight, impacting its radar and radios. The search operation also extends to the area surrounding the Vineyard Wind offshore wind towers, according to social media sources.
Clarence Togeretz, Latitude Air Ambulance's Director of Flight Operations, confirmed the plane's disappearance and stated that the company had contacted search and rescue teams and authorities. He declined to provide additional details about the flight.
“We’re always concerned when our crew does not report back in a timely manner,” Togeretz told NBC News. “However, I must express, optimistically and positively, that it does not necessarily mean the worst has happened.”
Details of the Aircraft and Its Mission
It remains unconfirmed whether any patients, alongside medical and flight personnel, were among the six people on board. The aircraft, registered as C-GRJP in Canada, was manufactured in Israel in 1996 and previously served as a private jet.
Latitude Air Ambulance operates a fleet of ten aircraft, including four Gulfstream G100s, typically crewed by a nurse and a respiratory therapist. The company specializes in medical evacuations and international repatriations.
The missing plane had completed multiple flights in recent weeks, including another Bermuda to Boston route on September 24.
A similar incident occurred earlier in September when a small plane with four people disappeared en route from the Bahamas to Miami, with no survivors found.
As of the latest available reports, the search continues with no debris, survivors, or the aircraft itself having been located.
Key Questions About the Missing Air Ambulance
What type of aircraft is involved in the disappearance?
The aircraft involved is a Gulfstream G100 operated by Latitude Air Ambulance.
Where did the flight originate and what was its intended destination?
The flight originated from Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport and was destined for Boston's Logan Airport.
What actions has the Coast Guard taken in response to the disappearance?
The Coast Guard has deployed aircraft, helicopters, and vessels to the search area south of Nantucket.