Crews find 'debris field' in search for missing plane carrying six people

Crews searching for an aircraft that went missing after leaving Bermuda bound for Boston, have found a "debris field", the US Coast Guard 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.

Crews were searching 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.

Air traffic audio indicates that the plane may have been "coming in blind" when a storm loomed ahead shortly before it vanished.

The pilot reported electrical problems and declared an emergency as the jet approached the coast, according to air traffic control audio posted by LiveATC.net.

US Coast Guard air and surface crews had been deployed to search an area off the coast of Nantucket.

One of the US Coast Guard cutters will keep searching the water overnight and into Sunday, the organisation said.

Steven MacKinnon, Canada's minister of transport, said on X that four Canadians were on board the aircraft - with the other two being Bermudian nationals.

"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."

The next of kin of the six people were notified as the search continued, the US Coast Guard said.

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 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: Crews find 'debris field' in search for missing plane carrying six people