Post by Amityville Rock on Apr 6, 2004 21:09:48 GMT -5
DATE: February 16, 2004 22:31:21 EST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District
Press Release Date: Feb. 16, 2004
Contact:
787.510.7923
COAST GUARD SEARCHING FOR MISSING PLANE
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Coast Guard air crews are searching for an airplane that disappeared from air traffic control radars Sunday evening while flying from San Juan to St. Croix.
Air traffic controllers lost radar contact with the aircraft about 9 p.m. yesterday in the vicinity of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The plane was described as a Model 112 Alpine Commander, a light single-engine aircraft with white paint and green and brown trim and was being flown by Sheldon H. Prudoff of Christiansted, St. Croix.
So far, five search flights have been conducted. The first search and rescue effort was made by the crew of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement aircraft which diverted from its law enforcement patrol to search for the missing plane.
A Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter was launched from Air Station Borinquen and completed a night search. The same helicopter then completed a first-light search this morning.
A Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon jet flew an updated search pattern this afternoon and a second HH-65 flew an additional search late this afternoon. So far, none of the searches has found anything.
Authorities also confirmed with regional airports that the plane was not safe on the ground.
"Sadly, we have yet to locate any sign of the plane or the person on board. Our search effort continues with the hope of finding survivors," said Mr. John Ware of the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section.
###
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District
Press Release Date: Feb. 16, 2004
Contact:
787.510.7923
COAST GUARD SEARCHING FOR MISSING PLANE
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Coast Guard air crews are searching for an airplane that disappeared from air traffic control radars Sunday evening while flying from San Juan to St. Croix.
Air traffic controllers lost radar contact with the aircraft about 9 p.m. yesterday in the vicinity of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico. The plane was described as a Model 112 Alpine Commander, a light single-engine aircraft with white paint and green and brown trim and was being flown by Sheldon H. Prudoff of Christiansted, St. Croix.
So far, five search flights have been conducted. The first search and rescue effort was made by the crew of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement aircraft which diverted from its law enforcement patrol to search for the missing plane.
A Coast Guard HH-65 helicopter was launched from Air Station Borinquen and completed a night search. The same helicopter then completed a first-light search this morning.
A Coast Guard HU-25 Falcon jet flew an updated search pattern this afternoon and a second HH-65 flew an additional search late this afternoon. So far, none of the searches has found anything.
Authorities also confirmed with regional airports that the plane was not safe on the ground.
"Sadly, we have yet to locate any sign of the plane or the person on board. Our search effort continues with the hope of finding survivors," said Mr. John Ware of the Coast Guard Greater Antilles Section.
###
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America