By GB News (World News) | Created at 2026-10-05 09:45:54 | Updated at 2026-10-06 20:09:15
1 day ago
A medical transport aircraft has disappeared off the United States coast, with six passengers presumed dead, as authorities called off a search for survivors overnight.
The US Coast Guard ended its search in waters off Nantucket, Massachusetts, after crews discovered wreckage believed to have come from the missing aircraft – which left Bermuda for Boston and never arrived.
Latitude Air Ambulance, the Canadian company operating the flight, said the four crew members, a patient and the patient's family escort were all presumed to have died.
"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," Latitude Air Ambulance said in a statement.
"Our thoughts are first and foremost with their families, loved ones, friends, and colleagues."
The aircraft, a Gulfstream G-100, lost contact with the Federal Aviation Administration shortly after 1am local time on Saturday.
It had departed Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport at 11.40pm on Friday, and was scheduled to arrive at Boston Logan International Airport at 1.30am, according to FlightAware data.
Four Canadian nationals and two Bermudian nationals were on board.
The US Coast Guard ended its search in waters off Nantucket, Massachusetts
REUTERS
The aircraft had travelled to Bermuda to collect a patient and a relative, according to Clarence Togeretz, Latitude's director of flight operations.
"This is an unimaginable loss for our Latitude family and for everyone who loved the six people aboard Heartbeat 104," said Peter Byl, President of Latitude Air Ambulance.
"Our focus now is on supporting their families, supporting our people and assisting the authorities. We will honour our colleagues by remembering the care, professionalism, and commitment they brought to their work every day."
Flight tracking data indicates the aircraft's altitude fell sharply before communications were lost, dropping from about 7,300m (24,000ft) to approximately 3,300m (11,000ft).
Radio transmissions also suggested difficulties communicating with air traffic control, according to the Boston Globe, which reviewed recordings supplied by LiveATC.net.
"You're coming in blind? Is that what you said?" the air traffic controller asked, adding: "Are you declaring an emergency, or no?"
The pilot's response could not be heard.
"You're coming in a little weak so I didn't hear what your response was, if you were declaring an emergency or not," the air traffic controller continued, according to the Globe.
The controller later confirmed the pilot had declared an emergency.
Around the same time, a local fire dispatcher told emergency crews to prepare for an aircraft reporting an "electrical issue". The dispatcher subsequently reported "the aircraft has lost radio and radar".
A debris field from the aircraft was located by authorities on Saturday evening, ending hopes of finding survivors.
Latitude said it would continue working with authorities as recovery operations and investigations proceed.
The company said: "Determining the circumstances and cause of an aviation accident is a careful and methodical process, and we will not speculate about what occurred."
