The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for six people aboard an Ontario air ambulance that disappeared about 32 kilometres off the coast of Nantucket, Mass., during the early morning hours of Oct. 3.
The Coast Guard announced the suspension in a statement on Oct. 4, a day after it began searching for the aircraft off the coast of Massachusetts. The agency said the Federal Aviation Administration had notified it around 2 a.m. on Oct. 3 that it had lost contact with the Gulfstream G100, which was travelling from Bermuda to Boston.
Six people were aboard the aircraft, including four Canadian nationals and two Bermuda nationals. The Coast Guard has not released the names or ages of those aboard but said their families had been notified.
“Suspending a search is not an easy decision,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Lake, commander of the Northeast District. “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 Coast Guard and partner agencies searched roughly 7,112 kilometres (4,445 miles) over 66 hours before suspending the search. It did not provide a specific reason for suspending the search.
The Coast Guard previously said it had found an extensive debris field on Oct. 3 about 32 kilometres off Nantucket that was confirmed to be associated with the missing Canadian-registered air ambulance. The Coast Guard said the size of the debris field made the search challenging and that the aircraft’s flight recorder had not been recovered.
Before the search was suspended, the agency said it was working with Massachusetts authorities to obtain a craft equipped with sonar to improve detection capabilities on the seabed.
The aircraft is operated by Hamilton, Ont.-based Latitude Air Ambulance, which specializes in long-range emergency medical evacuations and bed-finding logistics.
The plane was scheduled to arrive in Boston at about 1:30 a.m. The pilot reported electrical problems as the aircraft approached the coast, according to air traffic control audio posted by LiveATC.net.
A controller was heard asking the pilot, “You said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?”
Latitude Air Ambulance, in a statement late on Oct. 4, said it faced the “heartbreaking reality” that all six people aboard were presumed dead.
“Our four crew members were valued members of the Latitude family. They dedicated themselves to providing care to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and they were carrying out that mission when this tragedy occurred,” the statement said.
“We are grieving their loss deeply and will continue to support their families and our employees through the difficult days ahead.”
The company said it was co-operating with authorities and asked for privacy for the families involved.
The cause of the incident has not been determined.
Canada’s Transport Minister, Steven MacKinnon, said on Oct. 3 his thoughts were with everyone on board and their loved ones.
With files from the Canadian Press.
