A search is underway for an American family of four after their small plane reportedly crashed off the coast of the Bahamas. The U.S. Coast Guard and Bahamian officials are coordinating the effort.
The Royal Bahamian Defense Force requested assistance from the Coast Guard around 2 p.m. Monday, following a report of a downed aircraft with four people aboard approximately 15 miles off Andros Island, the Coast Guard said in a statement. Bahamian police on Andros are coordinating efforts to locate the aircraft, identified as a PA-34 Piper five-seater with tail number N212ML.
The plane departed Great Harbour Cay at approximately 11:12 a.m. with four occupants. Air traffic control subsequently lost contact with the aircraft about 13 miles west of Andros Island. Poor weather has postponed search efforts for an unspecified time.
According to a family statement, the passengers were identified as Mario Lamar Sr., 80; Lili Lamar, 79; Sofi Sosa, 28; and Christian Sosa, 22. The family statement noted that Mario Lamar is an experienced pilot with over 40 years of flying experience.
The aircraft was en route to Miami Executive Airport, formerly Tamiami Airport. Its last known contact was made around 11:04 a.m. near the western side of Andros Island.
The Lamar and Sosa families have expressed gratitude to all authorities involved in the search and to those who have offered support. They have urged Bahamian officials, the U.S. Coast Guard, and all relevant local authorities to deploy all available resources to quickly locate the aircraft and its occupants.