U.S. Coast Guard Searches for Missing Air Ambulance Near Nantucket Coast
In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. Coast Guard is actively conducting a search for a Canadian air ambulance that vanished in the early hours of Saturday. The aircraft was en route from Bermuda to Boston when it went off the radar south of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The Gulfstream G100, which reportedly had six individuals on board, lost contact with air traffic controllers, according to official Coast Guard reports. The disappearance followed a sudden drop of at least 9,000 feet within a two-minute span before leveling off momentarily prior to vanishing completely.
Nantucket Memorial Airport confirmed that the pilot had declared an emergency. During a critical communication, air traffic control queried, “You’re coming in blind?” as the situation unfolded.
Audio analyzed by The Boston Globe reveals that a fire rescue dispatcher alerted emergency teams of the plane’s anticipated arrival, noting that it was experiencing electrical malfunctions and had lost both radio and radar capabilities. The aircraft was reportedly 15 minutes from its destination at that time.
In response to the incident, the Coast Guard has mobilized a comprehensive search operation, deploying two planes, a helicopter, and a motor lifeboat to locate the missing jet.
Operated by Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, the aircraft is part of a fleet that has executed numerous missions since 2009. The company prides itself on “a flawless safety record” as highlighted on its website. Their air ambulances are manned by a duo of pilots and a medical team, equipped with a stretcher and intensive care unit medical supplies.
As the search continues, authorities and families await any updates regarding the fate of the aircraft and its occupants.
Image credit: Heather Diehl/Getty Images
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
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