Nantucket Aircraft Search Ends for Heartbeat 104 Latitude
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing medical transport aircraft off Nantucket after locating a debris field.
The United States Coast Guard ended its search for survivors off the coast of Nantucket on Sunday evening. The agency suspended operations after crews located a debris field from the missing Latitude Air Ambulance aircraft, stating the six occupants are presumed dead. Latitude Air Ambulance confirmed the heartbreaking reality in a statement.
Flight details and emergency communications
Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft after its altitude rapidly dropped early Saturday morning. The Federal Aviation Administration alerted the Coast Guard at 2 a.m. EDT on Saturday that communication had been lost. The Gulfstream G100 medical transport, call sign Heartbeat 104, had departed Bermuda's L.F. Wade International Airport at 23:40 local time on Friday night. It was due to land at Boston's Logan International Airport at 01:30 EDT.
Radio transmissions revealed trouble with communications. An air traffic controller told the pilot, "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 controller later confirmed the pilot had declared an emergency. Just after 01:00 EDT, an area fire dispatcher asked crews to prepare for a plane with an 'electrical issue,' later stating 'the aircraft has lost radio and radar.'
Aircraft, crew, and mission specifics
The aircraft was a Canadian-operated Latitude Air Ambulance Gulfstream G100 medevac. Its tail number was C-GRJP. Six people were aboard: four Canadian crew members, one patient, and one Bermudian family escort. The four Canadians were two pilots and two medical staff who had flown to Bermuda to collect the patient and their relative. Latitude's website describes the G100 as the longest-range dedicated medevac aircraft in North America, capable of carrying a patient stretcher, full ICU equipment, and up to two travel companions.
FlightAware data shows the air ambulance departed Bermuda at 11:41 p.m. EDT Friday and was scheduled to land in Boston at 1:12 a.m. Saturday. Its recorded altitude dropped from 24,000 feet at 1:03 a.m. to 11,000 feet at 1:07 a.m. before flight data was lost.
Search operations and official response
The U.S. Coast Guard began its search early Saturday morning. Over approximately 66 hours, crews scoured 4,445 square miles. Assets deployed included an HC-144 Ocean Sentry, an HC-130 Hercules, an MH-60 Jayhawk, lifeboat crews, and the Boston-based cutter William Sparling. They were supported by an HC-130 and two HH-60 helicopters from the New York Air National Guard's 106th Rescue Wing.
Rear Admiral Matthew Lake, commander of the Coast Guard’s Northeast District, led the effort. He described the operation as a large and demanding search area, employing fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, boats, and cutters. Lake expressed his deepest condolences to the families and gratitude for partner agencies. He stated that calling off the search was “not an easy decision.” The Coast Guard said a future investigation into the cause will be coordinated by appropriate authorities.
Latitude Air Ambulance accepted the Coast Guard's decision to transition from active search to recovery efforts with profound sadness. President Peter Byl said the focus is on supporting the families and assisting authorities. The company stated it would coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Latitude declined to speculate on the cause but will cooperate fully during ongoing recovery efforts and investigations.
