The Coast Guard is searching for a medical aircraft that disappeared off the coast of southeastern, Alaska.
Coast Guard personnel got the warning from the Sitka Flight Service Station that a twin-engine Guardian King Air 200 medical flight, with three people aboard, was supposed to land in Kake, Alaska—about 100 miles south of Juneau—at 6:19 p.m. on Tuesday, but never arrived.
A pilot, nurse, and paramedic were aboard the aircraft, according to Guardian Flight, who operates the aircraft.
“Coast Guard crews are diligently searching for the missing aircraft and individuals, “Lt. j.g. Colin McClelland, command duty officer for Coast Guard Sector Juneau, said in a statement. “We appreciate the assistance of the good Samaritan vessels, and we hope we locate the aircraft and people soon.”
Coast Guard Cutter Anacapa, homeported in nearby Petersburg, Alaska, is actively searching the area.
Officials are hopeful that the plane and souls aboard can be recovered. Light rain and overcast skies gave watchstanders 10 miles of visibility with winds blowing temperatures of about 36 degrees at seven mph.
Guardian Flight has grounded its entire fleet until further notice, and the company’s Senior Vice President of Operations issued a statement early Tuesday morning indicating that they “will be cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).”
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to our fellow employees and their families during this very trying time,” he said.
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