Coast Guard Finds Debris Field While Searching For Missing Plane
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – As the ongoing search for a missing plane continues, the Coast Guard has located a debris field.
The search is being conducted 37 miles east of Eleuthera, Bahamas.
#BreakingNews @USCG helo crew locates debris field approx. 15 mi E of Eleuthera, Bahamas. Search for survivors continues, more to follow.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 16, 2017
The overdue aircraft was carrying four people: Jennifer Blumin, 40, her two sons, ages 3 and 4, who are all from New York, and the pilot, Nathan Ulrich, 52, who is from New Hampshire.
Blumin is a well-known CEO for the company Skylight Group, which specializes in finding event space around the greater New York City area.
Ulrich, who flew for the Coast Guard Auxiliary for nine years, was an engineer and designer of high performance race cars.
Coast Guard Seventh District Command Center received a report from Miami Air Traffic Control on Monday of lost radar and radio contact from a MU-2B aircraft at 2:10 p.m.
"They lost radar contact and radio control. They lost contact with them," explained U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Eric Woodall.
Communication was lost with the aircraft traveling at 24,000 feet with a speed of 300 knots about 37 miles east of Eleuthra in the Bahamas.
The plane was traveling from Borinquen, Puerto Rico after departing at approximately 11 a.m. on Monday but disappeared in the area known as the Bermuda Triangle. It was due to arrive in Titusville, Florida. It's not known what happened to the plane.
"Right now we are searching an 810-square-mile area, so it is a pretty extensive area. We are putting all our assets including planes to find them," Woodall said.
The search off the Bahamas has involved one Coast Guard helicopter as well as a cutter and three planes – one of them sent from the air station in Opa-locka.
Customs and Border Patrol and the Royal Bahamas Defense Force are also assisting in the search.
Petty Officer Woodall hopes the search will be successful.
"This is the focus out at sea and we are the responding agency. We always try to remain optimistic and hope there will be a good resolution and there will be some important signs," he said.
No one at the skylight group wanted to talk.
One neighbor who knew her did, briefly.
"I am devastated," said Francis.
Actress Rae Dawn Chong, once married to the pilot, tweeted out:
My ex-hubby's (Nathan Ulrich) plane is missing over the Bermuda Triangle. I am sad and in shock. So send prayers to his family. Thanks.
— Rae Dawn Chong (@Rae_Dawn_Chong) May 16, 2017
The Coast Guard may be releasing search video tonight and says there is no timetable on how the search will continue.
Anyone with information should call the Coast Guard at (305) 415-6800.