US Coast Guard launches search for missing Canadian medical jet carrying six

A medical transfer aircraft carrying six individuals has gone missing while en route from Bermuda to Boston, according to the US Coast Guard. The Federal Aviation Administration reported losing contact with the Gulfstream jet early Saturday morning. Four of the passengers are Canadians, as confirmed by Canadian Minister of Transport Steven MacKinnon on social media platform X/Twitter.

The Coast Guard is currently actively monitoring the situation and collaborating with relevant authorities to conduct search and rescue operations. The aircraft, owned by Latitude Air Ambulance, took off from Bermuda at 12:41 a.m. local time, as per data from the flight tracking website FlightAware. The plane initially flew at 24,000 feet (7,300 meters) but subsequently descended to 13,000 feet within two minutes before losing communication with air traffic control.

An audio clip from Boston Logan International Airport reveals an air traffic controller questioning the Gulfstream pilot about their intentions, inquiring if they were flying blind and if the plane had declared an emergency. There was no response from the plane. Latitude Air Ambulance, based in Ontario, Canada, specializes in medical evacuation services but has not yet provided a comment on the matter.

The Coast Guard has dispatched both air and surface crews to search for the missing aircraft near Nantucket, a community situated south of the mainland in Massachusetts. The Bermuda government is in communication with US authorities, and the families of the passengers are being kept informed. Premier David Burt of Bermuda, expressed hope for a safe outcome for all six individuals through a statement on Instagram, stating that they are praying for a positive resolution.

As of Saturday afternoon, weather conditions in the Nantucket area were reported to be clear according to AccuWeather.