Four members of a Florida family are missing after their private plane disappeared while flying from the Bahamas to South Florida, Miami Herald reported
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The five-seat Piper PA-34 departed Great Harbour Cay at about 10:12 a.m. Monday and was headed to Miami Executive Airport, according to the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The aircraft’s last known contact was recorded at about 11:04 a.m. near the western side of Andros Island, the family said.
Those aboard were identified as pilot Mario Lamar, 80; his wife, Lili Lamar, 79; and their grandchildren, Sofia Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22, according to relatives who spoke with the Herald.
Bahamian authorities said they received a report that the aircraft had gone down in the water about 13 miles west of Andros Island. The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting with the search using an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft.
Silvia Larrieu, a niece of Mario and Lili Lamar, said rough weather near the northern end of Andros Island delayed the search for the aircraft.
FlightAware data showed fluctuations in the plane’s speed before its altitude dropped from about 10,000 feet to 3,700 feet within three minutes.
Larrieu said the couple had regularly visited Great Harbour Cay and regarded it as a second home.
“They were coming home,” she told the outlet.
In a video appeal, Larrieu asked for assistance from anyone who could support the search effort.
“Please help,” she said. “I ask anybody out there, if you can help with search and rescue efforts, we would greatly appreciate it. We need to bring them home.”
The family told ABC News that Mario Lamar had more than 40 years of flying experience.
Authorities have not announced the cause of the aircraft’s disappearance or provided an update on the condition of those aboard.
