May 11, 2006 – The U.S. Coast Guard said today that two passengers were reported missing Wednesday, when their twin-engine Aztec aircraft fell off the radar, 18 nautical miles southeast of the Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas.
U.S. Coast Guard spokesman Ricardo Castrodad did not identify the passengers but has said that the pilot was a male. He said that the agency was contacted at 7:42 p.m. Wednesday from the San Juan Center Air Traffic Control Tower reporting that officials had lost radar contact and communications with the aircraft, which was en route from St. Thomas to St. Croix. Prior reports indicated contact was lost at 7:45 p.m.
Castrodad said the Coast Guard immediately launched an HU-25 Falcon jet from Miami and diverted the Coast Guard Cutter, Sapelo, to search the vast sea area. The 110-foot patrol boat is stationed in San Juan. Castrodad added that a Coast Guard 25-foot response boat was also launched from the Marine Safety Detachment based on St. Thomas.
"The Coast Guard is also broadcasting an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to mariners over VHF radio requesting mariners look for the missing aircraft, render assistance if needed and report sightings," Castrodad said.
The Coast Guard continued to search for the missing aircraft Thursday afternoon with a C-26 aircraft from the Mississippi Air National Guard, an HU-25 Falcon jet from Miami, and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter stationed in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.
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