The Tribune

THE US Coast Guard suspended its search for an aircraft on Saturday which went down approximately 221 miles northeast of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas.

Two Florida Air National Guard F-15 fighter aircrafts witnessed the plane crash in the ocean on Friday, according to international reports. 

“Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders were notified by Miami Mission Control of a non-responsive pilot traveling from St Louis, Missouri to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in a 2001 twin-engine Cessna Citation aircraft at approximately 5 pm,” Local10.com reported.

“Watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules airplane crew to respond to the incident.”

It is believed only the pilot was on board the plane. 

The Coast Guard conducted aerial searches concentrated in an area of 642 square nautical miles.

“Suspending a search is one of the most difficult decisions we ever have to make, and we never make it lightly,” said Christopher Eddy, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard 7th District, according to Local 10, a Florida news outlet. “We always want the best case scenario to happen and will continue to monitor for new information that could aid responders.”