US Coast Guard ends search for six aboard crashed Bermuda-Boston medical jet
The US Coast Guard suspended its 66-hour search for a medical jet that crashed off Nantucket, Massachusetts, after confirming debris from the aircraft. Six people, including four Canadian crew members and two Bermudian passengers, are presumed dead. The flight from Bermuda to Boston lost contact early Saturday morning after the pilot reported electrical issues and a steep descent.
Key points
- Search suspended after 66 hours covering 4,445 miles by air and sea.
- Debris found off Nantucket Island in water 80 to 90 feet deep.
- Six people on board are presumed dead, including four Canadians and two Bermudians.
- Pilot reported electrical problems and declared an emergency before contact was lost.
- Canadian Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation with US assistance.
Background
This incident follows earlier reports on October 3 and 4 regarding the discovery of debris and the ongoing search efforts. The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, had recently completed other long-haul flights in September. This crash is distinct from a September 2026 private jet crash in California where all occupants survived.
How outlets are covering it
Al Jazeera and The New York Times emphasize the conclusion of the search and the presumption of death for all six individuals. NBC Boston provides specific identities, naming the Bermudians as Marilyn Lavonne Bean and her son Sergio Wayne Lottimore, and the Canadian crew members. The Royal Gazette highlights technical details, noting the aircraft's 1996 build date and its reputation for long-range durability, while citing flight tracking data that shows a rapid descent from 24,000 to 11,000 feet. All sources agree that the pilot declared an emergency and reported electrical issues shortly before contact was lost, but the exact cause remains undetermined.
Why it matters
The suspension of the search marks a tragic end to a high-profile medical evacuation mission, highlighting risks in long-range air ambulance operations. The involvement of Canadian and US authorities in the investigation underscores the international nature of medical transport logistics and the need for cross-border coordination in aviation safety inquiries.
What to watch
The Canadian Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash, with the US National Transportation Safety Board and the Coast Guard providing assistance. Further details on the cause of the crash, including the specific nature of the electrical problems and the impact of weather conditions, are expected as the investigation progresses.
- US coastguard suspends search for six on board crashed medical jet Al Jazeera
- What to Know About the Medical Plane That Went Missing Near Nantucket The New York Times
- How ‘Heartbeat 104’ dropped rapidly on Boston approach Royal Gazette | Bermuda
- ‘You’re coming in blind?’ Medical plane flying to Boston from Bermuda goes missing off Nantucket The Boston Globe
- Search suspended for 6 people on missing medical flight from Bermuda to Boston NBC Boston
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