The US Coast Guard is searching for an air ambulance jet carrying six people that lost contact during a medical evacuation flight from Bermuda to Boston early Saturday.
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Key facts
- An air ambulance jet with six people aboard lost contact during a flight from Bermuda to Boston.
- The aircraft was a Gulfstream G-100 undertaking a medical evacuation, according to the Guardian.
- The FAA issued a search-and-rescue alert at about 1:20am local time Saturday.
- Flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes before disappearing, according to NPR.
- The US Coast Guard is leading the search off the Massachusetts coast.
The US Coast Guard is searching for an air ambulance jet that lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration during a flight from Bermuda to Boston early on Saturday morning, according to the Guardian. Six people were on board the aircraft, which was carrying out a medical evacuation.
In a statement to the Guardian, an FAA spokesperson said the agency issued a search-and-rescue alert notice for a Gulfstream G-100 at about 1:20am local time on Saturday.
Flight data indicates the aircraft experienced a significant change in altitude before communication was lost. According to the BBC, the plane lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude.
NPR reported that flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes, then leveled off for several more minutes before disappearing.
The search is focused off the coast of Massachusetts. No information about the identities or condition of those on board has been confirmed in the available reporting.
Authorities have not released further details on the cause of the loss of contact. The situation remains an active search-and-rescue effort led by the US Coast Guard.
Why it matters
Air ambulance flights carry patients and medical crews in time-sensitive situations, making any disappearance a serious concern for families and emergency services. The incident raises questions about flight safety on long overwater medical evacuation routes.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the plane flying from and to?
The air ambulance was flying from Bermuda to Boston when it lost contact, according to the Guardian.
What type of aircraft was involved?
The FAA identified the aircraft as a Gulfstream G-100, according to the Guardian.
What did flight data show before the plane disappeared?
NPR reported that flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes, then leveled off for several more minutes before disappearing.
Timeline
- All six passengers presumed dead after plane went missing off US coast
BBC World: The aircraft lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude, according to flight data.
- Rescuers suspend search for survivors after plane went missing off US coast
BBC World: The aircraft lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude, according to flight data.
- Debris found from plane that went missing off US coast
BBC World: The aircraft lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude, according to flight data.
- US Coast Guard finds debris of missing air ambulance off coast of Massachusetts
The Guardian World: The plane was undertaking a medical evacuation from Bermuda with six people on board when it lost contact The US Coast Guard said late on Saturday it had found debris from a medical transport aircraft off the shore of Massachusetts’s Nantucket Island and was searching for the
- Debris from missing medical plane found, US coastguard says
Al Jazeera: Six people were on board the Canadian-registered air ambulance jet travelling from Bermuda to Boston.
- Coast Guard searching for missing medical plane carrying 6 people
NPR News: Flight data shows the jet dropped at least 9,000 feet over two minutes, then leveled off for several more minutes, before disappearing.
- US Coast Guard searches for missing air ambulance off coast of Massachusetts
The Guardian World: The plane was undertaking a medical evacuation from Bermuda with six people onboard when it lost contact The US Coast Guard is searching for an air ambulance jet with six people onboard that lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a flight from Bermuda
- Medical plane with 6 on board missing off Massachusetts coast
BBC World: The aircraft lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude, according to flight data.