US coastguard searching for missing plane carrying six people

An aircraft has gone missing after leaving Bermuda bound for Boston, the US Coast Guard has said.

The plane, used as an air ambulance, had four crew members and two passengers on board when it left the British overseas territory for an overnight flight to Massachusetts.

A search is underway off the coast of the island of Nantucket after the Gulfstream G100, registered to Latitude ​Air Ambulance, lost contact with air traffic controllers in the early hours of Saturday morning.

"The US Coast Guard Northeast District is searching Saturday for a missing medical transport aircraft with six people aboard after the aircraft lost contact while traveling from Bermuda to Boston," the Coast Guard said in a statement.

"Coast Guard air and surface crews are searching an area off the coast of Nantucket."

The search for the jet includes crews in the air and on the water, the coastguard added.

Steven MacKinnon, Canada's minister of transport, said on X that four Canadians were on board the aircraft.

"My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time," he said.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, and are working with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue. I want to thank all first responders involved for their ongoing efforts."

In a statement posted on Instagram, Bermuda ⁠Premier David Burt said: "We are praying that all six people will ​be found safe."

According to data from flight tracking website ⁠FlightAware, the jet was flying at around 24,000ft (7,315m) for much of the flight before descending 13,000ft (3,962m) in about two minutes shortly before flight controllers lost contact.

Local TV station Boston 25 posted an audio clip in which an air traffic controller can be heard asking the Gulfstream pilot: "You said you're coming in blind? Is that what you said?"

The controller then asked whether the plane was declaring an emergency. The pilot's response could not be heard in the recording.

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Clarence Togeretz, the director of flight operations at Ontario-based Latitude Air Ambulance, said that the aircraft was was carrying out a medical evacuation in Bermuda.

"We always get rather concerned when our crew doesn't report to us in a timely manner," Mr Togeretz told NBC News, Sky's US partner network.

"But I will say that again, optimistically and positively, that doesn't mean that the worst has happened."

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Boston Logan International Airport, said: "Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues."

(c) Sky News 2026: US coastguard searching for missing plane carrying six people