A search and rescue mission is underway after a plane carrying four people crashed off the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas. The US Coast Guard has been assisting Bahamian officials in the search for the aircraft's wreckage and the four people on board.
The plane had been scheduled to land at Miami Executive Airport in Florida after taking off from Great Harbour Cay, a popular island for tourists visiting the Bahamas. There has been no confirmation on the identities or the status of those on board.
US Coast Guard joins search
Bahamian officials requested help from the US Coast Guard at around 2pm local time. In a statement, the US Coastguard said: "The @USCG is assisting the @TheRBDF following a report of a downed aircraft with four souls onboard approx 15 mi off Andros Island, Bahamas. A @USCG HC-144 Ocean Sentry aeroplane is supporting the search. The case is ongoing. For more information, contact Bahamian authorities."
Erratic flight pattern and storm
Tracking data shows the aircraft spun around a few times before disappearing off the radar. Authorities believe the plane went down about 15 miles off the coast of Andros Island. There was a wild storm in the area at the time, reports indicate, but it is still unclear if weather played a factor in the plane going down.
Crews are still working to locate where the plane actually went down.
