CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard is responding to an apparent downed aircraft Thursday 110 miles east of Charleston.
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) notified Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of a civilian aircraft emergency at 11:33 a.m. The Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center received a report from the aircraft of an in-flight emergency, lost contact on radar and notified the AFRCC.
The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was leaving from South Carolina to the Bahamas.
Assisting in the response are:
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules aircraft
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
– Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton
– Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal
– Commercial vessel Seabulk Challenge
– Navy P-3 Orion
It was unknown how many passengers were on board.
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