The U.S. Coast Guard announced Saturday that debris from the missing medical‑transport aircraft was located off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The aircraft, a Gulfstream G‑100 operating under the call sign “Heartbeat 104,” departed L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda bound for Boston Logan International Airport with four crew members and two passengers aboard.
Search effort and Coast Guard response
According to a source familiar with the operation, the Coast Guard cutter CGC William Sparling recovered fragments of the plane early Saturday night, confirming that the aircraft had crashed into the Atlantic. The cutter will continue search and rescue operations throughout the night in hopes of locating any survivors.
Coast Guard officials said the search area remains “off the coast of Nantucket” and that both aerial and maritime assets are being deployed. A press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sunday at Coast Guard Base Boston to provide an update on the ongoing effort.
Flight details and last communications
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a search‑and‑rescue alert at approximately 1:20 a.m. local time on Saturday after the aircraft lost contact. Air‑traffic‑control recordings captured a brief exchange in which a controller asked the pilot, “Roger, you said you’re coming in blind. Is that what you said?” The pilot’s response was not captured, and the controller later heard the pilot declare an emergency before communications ceased.
Subsequent attempts to locate the jet on other aircrafts’ collision‑avoidance systems and via radio were unsuccessful. The aircraft, registered in Canada as C‑GJRP, is owned by Latitude Air Ambulance of Hamilton, Ontario.
Reactions from authorities and families
Massport confirmed that the plane never arrived at Boston Logan as scheduled and expressed sympathy for those on board. “Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues,” a Massport spokesperson said.
Four of the six occupants were Canadian nationals. Canada’s Minister of Transport, Steven MacKinnon, posted on X that Transport Canada is closely monitoring the situation and working with U.S. authorities on the rescue effort.
The Government of Bermuda also issued a statement, noting that it has been in contact with the families and will remain engaged with the overseas agencies coordinating the search. Premier David Burt added, “My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time. We are praying that all six people will be found safe, and we thank the search and rescue crews for their continuing efforts.”
Investigation and next steps
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it is gathering information about the incident but has no further updates at this time. The agency will likely conduct a full investigation once the wreckage is recovered and the search concludes.
As the Coast Guard continues its night‑long operation, local residents and maritime users are being asked to stay clear of the designated search zone for safety reasons. The public is encouraged to follow official updates from the Coast Guard and the FAA.
What this means for the community
While the incident is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by air‑ambulance crews, the swift response by federal agencies demonstrates the nation’s commitment to protecting lives, even in remote maritime environments. The ongoing search underscores the importance of coordinated emergency‑response efforts between the FAA, Coast Guard, and international partners.
Original reporting: Richardson, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
