Search Underway for Missing Medical Plane Near Nantucket
A medical plane heading to Boston from Bermuda went missing early Saturday morning, causing alarm for those on board and their families. The plane, operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, was carrying six people when it lost contact with air traffic control and disappeared off the coast of Nantucket, according to aviation expert Mary Schiavo.
Schiavo, a former inspector general for the U.S. Department of Transportation, explained that the flight tracking data indicates there was a severe issue before the plane vanished. Initially, the aircraft was cruising at 24,000 feet, but shortly after, a failure led to a rapid drop in altitude. The crew managed to stabilize the plane at 11,000 feet, regaining some control, but then encountered a severe storm front that complicated matters further.
“They faced a dire situation,” Schiavo remarked, noting that after the initial drop, they unexpectedly flew into a dangerous weather system. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed they are actively searching the waters off Nantucket for the aircraft, which had declared an emergency shortly before losing signal.
Flight records reveal that the Federal Aviation Administration alerted the Coast Guard around 2 a.m. after they could no longer communicate with the plane. At the time of the incident, weather conditions on Nantucket appeared clear, but radar data showed that a storm was directly along the plane’s flight path.
Investigators are expected to look closely into the communications between air traffic control and the flight crew. Schiavo pointed out that while air ambulances aim to operate swiftly, they sometimes lack the resources that commercial airlines have for weather monitoring and planning.
Nantucket Memorial Airport acknowledged knowledge of the missing plane and noted that it had declared an emergency prior to the loss of contact. Airport Manager Preston Harimon stated that specifics about the incident are still being confirmed, and they are not speculating on the cause. Search efforts continued throughout the night.
Latitude Air Ambulance’s director of flight operations, Clarence Togeretz, stated that the tracking was lost around 1:30 a.m. The aircraft had two pilots, two medical staff, a patient, and a relative on board. All medical staff were Canadian, while the patient and relative were not.
Bermuda’s Premier David Burt expressed his concern, stating that the government is in touch with the families and the U.S. Coast Guard, hoping for a safe return of everyone on board.
Various Coast Guard teams, including two aircraft, a helicopter, and a cutter named William Sparling, have been deployed to assist in the search.
Emergency Health Services in Nova Scotia shared their support for the crew and families involved. Latitude Air Ambulance, in business since 2009, prides itself on a perfect safety record, stating they strive to provide the highest safety standards in their operations.
As search efforts persist, many are holding onto hope for a positive outcome.
