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Chilling final moments emerge after a medical evacuation jet carrying six people vanished over the Atlantic near Nantucket. (Images: X)
Massachusetts (US): A medical evacuation jet carrying six people disappeared over the Atlantic after reporting an emergency and apparent electrical problems with a chilling final radio exchange now shedding light on the aircraft’s last moments. The Canadian-registered Gulfstream G100, operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, departed Bermuda’s LF Wade International Airport at around 12:41 am local time on Saturday.
The aircraft was bound for Boston Logan International Airport with two pilots, two medical crew members, a patient and the patient’s relative aboard.
Air traffic control recordings obtained through LiveATC.net captured the tense exchanges shortly before communication with the aircraft was lost. In the recording, controller asked the pilot whether the crew was “coming in blind” and then sought confirmation about whether the flight was declaring an emergency. The pilot’s response was reportedly difficult to make out. The aircraft was experiencing an electrical issue shortly before it disappeared from radar and radio contact, according to reports cited by US media.
The aircraft’s flight path became increasingly alarming as it approached the Massachusetts coastline. Reuters reported that the Gulfstream was flying at roughly 24,000 feet before descending about 13,000 feet in approximately two minutes. Other reports indicated that the aircraft later reached an altitude of around 10,000 feet before contact was lost.
The medical jet was believed to be roughly 80 miles south of Nantucket when Boston Logan emergency personnel were alerted to prepare for its arrival. However, the aircraft never reached Boston.
The Federal Aviation Administration issued a search-and-rescue alert at approximately 1:20 am, after which the US Coast Guard deployed aircraft and vessels to search the waters south of Nantucket. The Coast Guard subsequently located a debris field believed to be associated with the missing medical aircraft. Search efforts for those aboard continued as authorities worked to establish exactly what caused the aircraft to disappear. The search had covered approximately 1,644 square miles when the debris was located, according to the Nantucket Current.
The six people on board included two pilots, two medical professionals, a patient and the patient’s relative. According to a Canadian Press report carried by Stratford Today, the four crew members were Canadian nationals, while the two passengers were from Bermuda.
Investigators are now expected to examine the recovered debris and available flight and communication data to determine what happened during the aircraft’s final minutes.
