All passengers aboard the Gulfstream G100 flying from Bermuda to Boston that disappeared off the coast of Massachusetts are sadly presumed dead.
The flight departed Bermuda at 12:41 a.m. local time on Saturday, October 3, and was scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan International Airport shortly after 1:20 a.m. The plane was operating as part of a medical transfer and had six people aboard.
According to air traffic control audio published by LiveATC.net, the pilot reported electrical issues as the aircraft approached the Massachusetts coastline and declared an emergency.
Boston 25 reported that the pilot appeared to indicate the plane was “coming in blind” shortly before contact was lost. The last recorded radar signal came at 1:23 a.m.
“Roger, you said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?” a controller asked the the pilot, according to the AP.
What the pilot said next was inaudible, and the controller said, “You’re coming in a little weak so I didn’t hear what your response was, if you were declaring an emergency or not,” according to the New York Post.
Gulfstream G100 disappeared
The controller then asked the pilot of another aircraft if the medical plane was visible on its anti-collision system. The pilot responded that it wasn’t, according to The Sun.
“I believe we may have lost an aircraft,” the tower controller said, per The Boston Globe.
“We lost everything on him… like a long time ago.”
At approximately 1:04 a.m., it dropped from 23,500 feet to 11,000 feet in about three minutes.
The Federal Aviation Administration alerted the Coast Guard at roughly 2 a.m., prompting a search-and-rescue operation.
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement: “The current search area is offshore of Nantucket. Coast Guard, air and surface cruise are actively responding, including: planes HC-144 and MH-60 from Air Station Cape Cod; a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Brant Point; and a Fast Response cutter from ship USCGC William Sparling.
“The Coast Guard will continue searching and provide additional information as it becomes available.”
Passengers presumed dead
Later on Saturday, the Coast Guard announced that search crews had located a debris field associated with the missing aircraft.
“Crews are continuing to search for the six people who were aboard the aircraft and the Coast Guard cutter William Sparling will continue search efforts throughout the night.”
One day later, on Sunday, the Coast Guard announced that it had halted the search.
“Suspending a search is not an easy decision,” Rear Admiral Matthew Lake, Commander of the Northeast District, said, according to People. “We express our deepest condolences to the families and loved ones affected by the tragedy and our gratitude for our partner agencies who helped support search efforts.”
The Canada-based Latitude Air Ambulance operated the medical jet, and has since released a statement saying: “Given the information shared by authorities and the conclusion of the search and rescue phase, we must now face the heartbreaking reality that the four members of our Latitude team, our patient and the patient’s family escort, who were aboard Heartbeat 104, are presumed to have died.
“Our thoughts are first and foremost with their families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues.
“Our four crew members were valued members of the Latitude family. They dedicated themselves to providing care to people at some of the most difficult moments in their lives, and they were carrying out that mission when this tragedy occurred.”
The company continued, “We are grieving their loss deeply and will continue to support their families and our employees through the difficult days ahead.”
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