The U.S. Coast Guard is currently conducting a search for an air ambulance based in Ontario that disappeared on Saturday with a total of six individuals on board, including four Canadians. The Gulfstream G100 jet took off from Bermuda’s L.F. Wade International Airport and was expected to land at Boston Logan International Airport early Saturday, as stated by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to CBC News. The aircraft, registered as C-GRJP, belongs to Latitude Air Ambulance, a company situated in Ontario operating from John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, according to the Canadian Civil Aircraft Register.
The FAA initiated a search and rescue alert for the jet at 1:20 a.m. ET and is collaborating with the Rescue Coordination Center and the U.S. Coast Guard to locate the plane. The U.S. Coast Guard’s northeast division shared on social media that air and surface teams are searching for the aircraft off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Various teams, including an airplane and helicopter crew from Cape Cod, a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Brant Point, and the William Sparling patrol ship, are aiding in the search effort.
The crew of the air ambulance, comprising two pilots and two medical staff, are all Canadian, as confirmed by Clarence Togeretz, the director of flight operations at Latitude. They had flown to Bermuda to pick up a non-Canadian patient and their relative. Latitude lost contact with the jet around 1:30 a.m. Saturday when it was nearing Boston. The U.S. Coast Guard was notified by the company when the aircraft did not land as scheduled. This incident marks the first time Latitude Air Ambulance has experienced a loss of contact with one of its planes.
The company’s website indicates that they provide medical evacuation and repatriation services in collaboration with global insurance companies, governments, and other organizations. Each air ambulance flight is equipped with two pilots and a medical team trained to provide necessary patient care. Additionally, the company operates four Gulfstream G100 jets among its fleet of 10 aircraft. Canadian and Bermudan officials are coordinating efforts as the search and rescue mission continues. The Canadian government, represented by Federal Minister of Transportation Steven MacKinnon, expressed concern and solidarity with those on board, their families, and colleagues during this challenging time.
It has been clarified that the missing air ambulance flight was not associated with Ontario air ambulance services operated by Ornge, as confirmed by spokesperson Joshua McNamara. Ornge expressed deep concern and extended thoughts to the crew, passengers, and families involved. The Transportation Safety Board of Canada is actively collecting information related to the missing jet to determine the circumstances surrounding its disappearance. Transportation Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation have also been contacted for additional details.