The U.S. Coast Guard said it has found a “debris field” from the air ambulance that went missing off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, on Oct. 3 with six people on board.
Four Canadian crew members and two Bermudian passengers were aboard the Canadian-registered jet. None of them have been found, and the Coast Guard said search and rescue operations will continue into Saturday night.
The crew on the Boston-based Coast Guard fast response cutter, the William Sparling, is leading the overnight search operation.
The jet, a Gulfstream G100, was traveling from L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda to Boston Logan International Airport overnight when it lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Air traffic audio indicates that it may have been “coming in blind” when a storm loomed ahead shortly before communications dropped out.
The pilot reported electrical problems and declared an emergency as the jet approached the coast, according to air traffic control audio posted by LiveATC.net.
“Roger, you said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?” a controller can be heard asking the pilot.
The FAA confirmed to The Epoch Times that it issued a Search and Rescue Alert Notice for the plane with tail number CGRJP around 1:20 a.m. ET on Saturday.
The plane was scheduled to arrive in Boston at 1:30 a.m. ET, according to the flight-tracking website FlightRadar.
The Rescue Coordination Center and the U.S. Coast Guard worked alongside the FAA to locate the aircraft.
The Coast Guard deployed air and surface crews from stations in Cape Cod, Elizabeth City, and Brant Point for the search and rescue that covered 1,644 square miles in just over 27 hours before the debris was located.
Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said in a statement Saturday that Ottawa is closely monitoring the search and extended his thoughts to those on board and their families. He also thanked first responders.
The Government of Bermuda said it has been in contact with families of those on board.
“My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time,” Bermuda Premier David Burt said in a statement on Saturday.
“We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts.”
The Coast Guard said Sunday evening that it was suspending the search after 66 hours of combined search and rescue operations with partner agencies since the plane went missing.
“Suspending a search is not an easy decision,” Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, Commander of the Northeast District, said in a statement.
“We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and our gratitude for our partner agencies who helped support search efforts.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
