A medical evacuation aircraft carrying six people vanished off the coast of Nantucket in the early hours of Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Gulfstream G100, operated by Latitude Air Ambulance, departed Bermuda at 12:41 a.m. and dropped more than 10,000 feet before the Federal Aviation Administration lost radar and radio contact at approximately 1:20 a.m. The aircraft was headed to Logan International Airport in Boston.
The pilot declared an emergency as early as 12:46 a.m., just five minutes after leaving Bermuda. A recording of the radio transmission obtained by LiveATC.net showed controllers struggling to communicate clearly with the aircraft. "You're coming in blind. Is that what you said?" one controller asked. The controller added that the aircraft's signal was weak, making it difficult to confirm if an emergency had been declared.
Controllers also asked the pilot of a nearby aircraft whether the medical plane appeared on its anti-collision system. The answer was no. At 1:12 a.m., a Massport Fire Rescue dispatcher instructed emergency crews at Logan International Airport in Boston to prepare for an aircraft with an "electrical issue" expected to land within 15 minutes. However, the dispatcher noted that the aircraft had lost radio and radar contact.
The six people onboard included two pilots and two medical personnel, all Canadian nationals, as well as a patient and a relative, both from Bermuda. The US Coast Guard launched a search operation covering a zone 13 nautical miles off Nantucket, spanning 30 nautical miles wide and 20 nautical miles long. The agency confirmed it would identify victims or missing persons 24 hours after notifying next of kin.
The FAA said it was coordinating with the Rescue Coordination Centre and the Coast Guard to locate the aircraft. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, speaking at a rally in Dorchester, pledged that the state would do "whatever it takes" to support the Coast Guard's efforts. The Governor's statement highlighted the state's commitment to assisting in the search and rescue operation.
Bermuda Premier David Burt also offered condolences and promised assistance. "My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time," Burt said in a statement. He expressed hope that all six people would be found safe and thanked the search and rescue crews for their efforts.
The incident occurred just days before a similar incident involving a helicopter crash that killed five people on September 30, 2026. The search and rescue efforts for the missing medical aircraft continue, with authorities working to locate the plane and determine the cause of the disappearance.
Key points
- The Gulfstream G100 medical aircraft carrying six people vanished off the coast of Nantucket on October 3, 2026.
- The pilot declared an emergency just five minutes after taking off from Bermuda.
- The US Coast Guard launched a search operation covering a 13-nautical-mile zone off Nantucket.
