SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - An elderly couple and their two adult grandchildren are missing after their plane vanished near the coast of the Bahamas while on their way to South Florida, leaving loved ones desperate for answers.
U.S. Coast Guard officials said they received a request from the Royal Bahamian Defense Force following reports of a downed small plane with four people on board, at around 2 p.m. on Monday.
That plane was scheduled to land at Miami Executive Airport in Southwest Miami-Dade after taking off from Great Harbour Cay.
Silvi Larrieu said her uncle, 80-year-old Mario Lamar, was the pilot on that aircraft, accompanied by his wife, 79-year-old Lily Lamar, and two of their grandchildren, 28-year-old Sophie Sosa and 22-year-old Christian Sosa.
Roughly 52 minutes into the flight, the plane lost contact with air traffic control.
“It lost complete signal and complete connection from all towers and authorities.” said Larrieu.
Mario, who is 80 years old, is an experienced pilot, according to his relatives.
A flight tracking map shows the PA-34 Piper five-seater’s route after departing the Bahamas. Authorities believe the plane went down roughly 13 miles west of Andros Island.
The plane then appears to fly into a storm and appears to spin around a few times before losing contact. However, it remains unclear if weather played a role in its disappearance.
As authorities both in the Bahamas and the U.S. search for the missing plane, their family members gave a call for help.
“I ask anybody out there who could help with search and rescue and any other efforts, we would greatly appreciate it. We need to bring them home,” said Larrieu.
The occupants’ family is now pleading with any members of the public capable of assisting to lend a hand to the several agencies searching the water to track down the plane.
Officials told 7News they searched for the plane Monday, but at one point, they had to postpone their search because of inclement weather. As of late Tuesday morning, they have not provided an update.
“Whether it’s by plane, by boat, any signs that you’ve noticed, to help us find them and bring them back alive,” said Larrieu.
The Coast Guard has since launched its ocean sentry plane to assist Bahamian search efforts.
As of Monday evening, crews have begun searching for where the plane went down.
There’s been no word on the status for the four occupants on that plane.
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