The U.S. Coast Guard said debris was discovered from a medical jet carrying six people that disappeared near Nantucket, Massachusetts, during a flight from Bermuda to Boston early Saturday.
A debris field confirmed to be from the missing aircraft was located Saturday night, according to a Coast Guard statement. Crews continued searching for the six passengers overnight, with operations expected to carry on.
The passengers included four Canadian nationals and two people from Bermuda, the Coast Guard said.
The Federal Aviation Administration lost communication with the aircraft at about 1 a.m. local time Saturday and issued a Search and Rescue Alert Notice for the Gulfstream G-100.
Coast Guard information identified the aircraft as being registered to Latitude Air Ambulance, a company based in Canada.
FlightAware tracking data showed that the jet departed at approximately 11:40 p.m. ET Friday.
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U.S. Coast Guard/PA3 Kiera Shantry
“My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,” Canada’s transport minister, Steve MacKinnon, said in a statement. “We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue.”
Bermuda’s government said on X that officials had contacted the families of the people aboard the aircraft.
“We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts,” Premier David Burt said.
The jet vanished after spending roughly one hour and 45 minutes in the air. FlightAware data indicated that it descended rapidly from approximately 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet before communications were lost. The aircraft had been scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at around 1:30 a.m. local time.
The Coast Guard’s Northeast District said the search was focused in waters off Nantucket. The response included an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft, an HC-130 Hercules, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat and the FRC William Sparling, a Sentinel-class fast response cutter.
Over 27 hours, search teams surveyed an area covering approximately 1,644 square miles, the Coast Guard said.