In the early hours of Saturday, October 3rd, a private medical transfer jet carrying 6 people lost contact while en route from Bermuda to Boston, United States. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has initiated an emergency search and rescue operation off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts.
FlightAware flight data shows that the twin-engine midsize jet, Gulfstream G100, took off from L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda at 12:41 AM Eastern Time on Saturday, bound for Boston Logan International Airport.
However, the aircraft experienced abnormalities at 1:04 AM, descending rapidly from 23,500 feet to 11,000 feet within just 3 minutes. The last radar signal was recorded at 1:23 AM, after which the aircraft went off radar.
Canadian civil aircraft registration data indicates that the aircraft belongs to Latitude Air Ambulance, a company based in Canada. A spokesperson from the Bermuda airport confirmed that the aircraft was carrying a total of 6 individuals, including 4 crew members and 2 passengers.
FAA issued a search and rescue alert around 1:20 AM and notified the Coast Guard around 2:00 AM. Currently, the Coast Guard has deployed assets including HC-144 aircraft, MH-60 Jayhawk medium-range search and rescue helicopters from Air Station Cape Cod, HC-130 Hercules transport aircraft from Elizabeth City Air Station, as well as rescue boats and the USCGC William Sparling fast response patrol boat from Point Blunt base to conduct a comprehensive search in the vicinity of the Nantucket coast for the aircraft or debris.
The aircraft that went missing, Gulfstream G100, was originally known as the Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. Astra SPX, before being acquired and renamed by Gulfstream Aerospace. This twin-engine midsize jet has a cruising speed of 0.84 Mach and a range of approximately 2,950 nautical miles. It is known for its excellent performance and smooth high-altitude flight, often customized by medical rescue companies as a medical transfer aircraft equipped with life support equipment.
Meteorological data indicates clear weather at the time of the incident, and search and rescue operations are ongoing.