A Gulfstream jet carrying six people has gone missing while travelling from Bermuda to Boston, triggering a search operation by the US Coast Guard off the coast of Nantucket.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported losing contact with the aircraft early Saturday, following which Coast Guard air and surface crews were deployed to locate the plane. The search was focused on waters near Nantucket, Massachusetts.
The aircraft has been identified as a Gulfstream G100 with the tail number CGRJP. Authorities have not yet provided details about the six people aboard or confirmed what happened after contact was lost.
Coast Guard launches search
The US Coast Guard Northeast District announced the operation on X, saying, “US Coast Guard is searching for a Gulfstream aircraft with 6 persons on board. Federal Aviation Administration reported losing contact w/the aircraft early Saturday morning. USCG air & surface crews have launched in search of the aircraft. Updates will be provided here as info becomes available,"
In a subsequent update, the Coast Guard said, “#UPDATE : the plane was traveling from Bermuda to Boston. Current search area is off the coast of Nantucket. Aircraft is a Gulfstream G100 (Tail #CGRJP)."
Air Station Cape Cod, USCG Station Brant Point in Nantucket and the USCGC William Sparling, a Fast Response Cutter, are involved in the search operation.
Aircraft lost contact over Atlantic
The Gulfstream had departed Bermuda and was headed towards Boston when communication with authorities was lost. Flight-tracking information indicated a significant drop in the aircraft's altitude before its disappearance from tracking.
However, officials have not said that the aircraft crashed, and the circumstances surrounding the loss of contact remain unclear.
Six people remain unaccounted for
The identities and status of the six people aboard have not been released publicly. The Coast Guard has also not provided information about whether any debris or survivors have been located.
The search operation remains underway, with crews continuing to scan the waters around Nantucket for the missing aircraft.