Crews continue search for missing private plane off Charleston coast

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) - Emergency crews are continuing to search for a missing private plane 100 miles east of Charleston.

On Friday afternoon, officials with the Coast Guard said as of 12 p.m., crews have searched 2,600 square miles for the Piper PA-31 aircraft.

FAA officials said the plane has been missing since 11:45 a.m. Thursday.

The aircraft had departed from Robert F. Swinnie Airport in Andrews, SC, and was headed to the Bahamas.

Officials with the Coast Guard say they were initially notified at 11:33 a.m. regarding the Jacksonville Air Route Traffic Control Center receiving a report from the aircraft of an in-flight emergency, lost contact on radar, and notified the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center.

According to the FAA, crews with the US Navy and the Coast Guard were dispatched to search for the plane.

Coast guard officials say the following aircraft and vessels responded to the search area:

• 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

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