NANTUCKET, MASS. — The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing Gulfstream G100 aircraft off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. The aircraft was carrying six people when it lost contact with air traffic control.

The flight departed from L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda and was headed to Boston Logan International Airport. The aircraft took off from Bermuda at approximately 12:41 a.m. local time on Saturday, October 3, 2026. It was scheduled to land at Boston Logan International Airport at approximately 1:25 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. local time.

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a Search and Rescue Alert Notice for the aircraft at approximately 1:20 a.m. local time on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The Massachusetts Port Authority confirmed the aircraft did not arrive at Logan Airport as scheduled.

Flight data indicates the aircraft dropped from approximately 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet before losing contact. The pilot declared an emergency prior to losing contact with air traffic control. A fire rescue dispatcher stated the aircraft was suffering from electrical issues and had lost radio and radar contact. The aircraft's call sign was "Heartbeat 104."

The Coast Guard search response includes crews from Air Station Cape Cod, a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Brant Point, and the USCGC William Sparling fast response cutter. The Coast Guard has deployed two search and rescue planes, a helicopter, and a motor lifeboat. The search area is located south of Nantucket, extending 13 nautical miles off the coast and covering an area 30 nautical miles wide and 20 nautical miles long. The Gulfstream G100 aircraft involved in the search has the tail number C-GRJP, as reported by the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod crews.

The aircraft is registered to Latitude Air Ambulance, a company based in Ontario, Canada. Latitude Air Ambulance stated that the four crew members were Canadian and the two passengers were picked up in Bermuda. Steven MacKinnon, Canada’s Minister of Transport, stated that four of the six people on board were Canadian nationals.

A source with knowledge of the investigation told reporters that there were no Americans on board the plane. The Government of Bermuda confirms that an air ambulance which departed Bermuda for Boston early this morning, carrying six people, has been reported missing after contact was lost with air traffic control.

Clarence Togeretz, Director of Flight Operations at Latitude Air Ambulance, stated the plane 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," Togeretz said. "But I will say that again, optimistically and positively, that doesn’t mean that the worst has happened," he added.

David Burt, Premier of Bermuda, stated that the Bermuda government has been in contact with American authorities and the families of those on board. "My thoughts are with everyone on board and their families during this deeply worrying time," Burt said. MacKinnon said, "My thoughts are with all those on board, as well as their families, loved ones, and colleagues, during this extremely difficult time." Mehigan said, "Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues." Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated the state would support the Coast Guard's search efforts.

Why It Matters

The disappearance of the air ambulance involves citizens from multiple jurisdictions, prompting coordinated responses from Canadian and Bermudian officials alongside U.S. authorities. The loss of contact following a declared emergency and altitude drop presents questions about the circumstances leading to the incident, particularly given the reported electrical issues. The scale of the Coast Guard's multi-asset deployment reflects the seriousness with which authorities are treating the situation.

Latitude Air Ambulance's operational history includes previous diversions due to severe weather, providing context for the risks associated with medical evacuation flights in the region. The involvement of international passengers and the cross-border nature of the flight from Bermuda to the United States highlight the complexities of search and rescue operations in international airspace. The ongoing search covers a substantial area, reflecting the challenges of locating an aircraft that lost contact over open water.

Timeline

On October 3, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard began searching for a missing Gulfstream G100 aircraft off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Also on October 3, 2026, air traffic control audio recorded a controller asking the pilot, "You're coming in blind?" On the same date, Clarence Togeretz, Director of Flight Operations at Latitude Air Ambulance, stated the plane was carrying out a medical evacuation in Bermuda. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey stated the state would support the Coast Guard's search efforts on October 3, 2026. Jennifer Mehigan, a Massachusetts Port Authority spokesperson, said, "Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues" on October 3, 2026. David Burt, Premier of Bermuda, stated on October 3, 2026, that the Bermuda government has been in contact with American authorities and the families of those on board.

What's New

Later reporting confirmed that Healey said the state would support the Coast Guard's search efforts. Additional information revealed that the Massachusetts Port Authority (MassPort) has previously coordinated with the Coast Guard for aviation-related emergencies, including the 2019 diversion of a private jet to Boston Logan after a medical emergency, though no search operation was required. Togeretz said the plane was carrying out a medical evacuation in Bermuda.

Further details indicated that Latitude Air Ambulance, the operator of the missing aircraft, maintains a fleet of 10 planes, including four Gulfstream G100s, according to its website. Historical context showed that Latitude Air Ambulance, the operator of the missing Gulfstream G100, has a history of operating in high-risk medical evacuation routes, including a 2021 incident where one of its planes diverted to Halifax due to severe weather en route from Toronto to Bermuda. Records also showed that the Gulfstream G100 was manufactured in Israel in 1996 and previously operated as a private jet before being acquired by Latitude Air Ambulance in 2018.