A Canadian air ambulance journeying from Bermuda to Boston in the United States met with a fatal disaster over the Atlantic Ocean. United States Coast Guard personnel discovered floating debris off the coast of Nantucket Island in Massachusetts early Saturday, subsequently confirming the wreckage belonged to the missing Gulfstream jet. A total of 6 individuals were on board the flight, comprising four Canadian crew members and two Bermuda nationals, none of whom have been traced so far. Search and rescue crews alongside United States Coast Guard cutters have been scouring the freezing waters around the clock in an urgent bid to locate any survivors.
Departure from Bermuda and Crew Details
According to Skyport, the operator running Bermuda's airport, the Canada-registered medical aircraft had departed LF Wade International Airport at night, charting a course toward Massachusetts. The manifest confirmed four crew members and two passengers inside the cabin during departure. Canadian Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon verified the crew identities through a social media post, stating that four Canadian citizens were among the people aboard the missing aircraft.
Rapid Altitude Loss and Radar Disappearance
Flight monitoring data indicated that the Latitude Air Ambulance jet had initially been cruising stably at an altitude of 24,000 feet. The flight regime changed drastically without warning, causing the jet to lose control and plummet 13,000 feet in just two minutes before vanishing completely from radar feeds. Shortly prior to losing communication, flight crew interactions with air traffic control indicated extreme operational distress as the pilot declared an emergency alongside a report of flying without visibility.
Final Exchanges with Air Traffic Controllers
Audio communications captured during the final moments before the aircraft disappeared revealed the intense situation inside the cockpit. An air traffic controller could be heard seeking clarity over the radio channel, asking, “Okay, you said you were coming in blind. Was that correct?” The recording captured no audible response from the pilot following that question. The controller later confirmed that the pilot had officially transmitted an emergency call just moments before all radar tracking and communications ceased.
Official Responses and Ongoing Operations
David Burt, the Premier of Bermuda, issued a statement via Instagram expressing deep concern over the tragedy. He affirmed that the Bermuda government is working hand in hand with United States authorities while keeping in touch with the families of those aboard, writing, “We are praying that all six people are found safe.” The aircraft belonged to Latitude Air Ambulance, an Ontario-based company that specializes in international medical evacuation services. The aviation firm did not issue an immediate response to requests seeking comment on the incident.
