Medical evacuation plane carrying six people from Bermuda to Boston goes missing off Nantucket

A medical evacuation plane carrying six people from Bermuda to Boston went missing early Saturday morning, triggering a US Coast Guard search off Nantucket.

The aircraft was a Gulfstream G-100 jet, Canadian-registered and operated by Latitude Air Ambulances, a company based in Ontario that provides international medical evacuation flights. It departed from Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport with four crew and two passengers aboard, bound for Boston Logan International Airport. FlightAware data cited by the BBC lists the departure at 23:40 local time, while Al Jazeera, also citing FlightAware, gives 12:41am local time (03:41 GMT) — a discrepancy that appears to stem from timezone labeling rather than two separate events.

Rapid descent and emergency declaration

The aircraft had been cruising at approximately 24,000 feet (7,300 metres) before descending rapidly shortly before contact was lost. The reported magnitude of the descent differs across sources. FlightAware data cited by the BBC shows the plane dropping from roughly 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet (3,300 metres), while Al Jazeera, also citing FlightAware, reports a descent of 13,000 feet (3,960 metres) in about two minutes. An ABC News source, cited by the Guardian, says officials believe the plane rapidly descended 7,500 feet before hitting the water. The pilot declared an emergency before communications went dark. The FAA lost contact and issued a search-and-rescue alert, though the timing is disputed: the BBC places it just after 1:00 local time (6:00 GMT), while the Guardian reports the alert was issued at about 1.20am local time. The scheduled arrival at Boston Logan was 1:30 EDT (6:30 GMT). The Massachusetts port authority, which operates the airport, confirmed the aircraft did not arrive as scheduled.

Controller asked pilot if he was ‘coming in blind’

Air traffic control audio posted by LiveATC.net captured a controller asking the pilot, “Roger, you said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?” The pilot’s transmission was inaudible in the recordings. The controller later confirmed the pilot had declared an emergency just before contact was lost. Separately, an area fire dispatcher asked emergency crews to prepare to meet a plane with an electrical issue, according to the BBC — though that detail remains unconfirmed.

Search and response

The US Coast Guard launched air and surface crews to search off the coast of Nantucket. The FAA is coordinating with the Rescue Coordination Center and the Coast Guard to locate the aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was gathering information but had no further update. The Bermuda government is in contact with US authorities and the families of the passengers. Canada’s Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said four Canadians were on the plane. An ABC News source, cited by the Guardian, said there were no Americans onboard. The two passengers are a patient and a relative, neither of them Canadian.

Bermuda Premier David Burt said, “We are praying that all six people will be found safe.” A Massachusetts port authority spokesperson said, “Our thoughts are with those onboard and their loved ones as the search continues.” Clarence Togeretz, director of flight operations at Latitude Air Ambulances, told NBC News that the company always grows concerned when a crew does not report in a timely manner, but added optimistically and positively that this does not necessarily mean the worst has happened.