The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MASSIVE search effort is underway for the remaining family members aboard an aircraft that went missing in waters off North Andros yesterday while returning home from a holiday in Great Harbour Cay.

The passengers, identified as pilot Mario Lamar, his wife, Lili, and their two grandchildren, Sofia Sosa and Christian Sosa, were travelling aboard a US-registered Piper PA-34 aircraft, N212ML, from Great Harbour Cay to Opa-locka, Florida, when the aircraft encountered problems.

They were returning home after spending their holiday at their vacation home in Great Harbour Cay.

In a poster released Tuesday, the family confirmed that one of their relatives had been found dead but declined to identify the person, citing privacy concerns.

Relatives said they last heard from them Monday via a text message saying they were on their way home.

However, the family became concerned after hours without contact.

The pilot was described by relatives as an experienced, well trained captain while the aircraft was said to be in good condition and equipped with all the necessary safety gear. 

Police said the five-seater aircraft departed shortly after 10am and lost contact with air traffic control about 13 miles west of Andros.

Flight data shows the aircraft circling near Red Bay, North Andros, before losing altitude.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association and US Coast Guard were notified of the missing aircraft and joined the search.

The Tribune was also told that local fishermen assisted in the operation.

However, initial searches of the aircraft’s last known position in waters off the west coast of North Andros yielded no results up to press time last night.

Police later suspended their search due to deteriorating weather conditions, but resumed efforts after conditions improved.

Lieutenant Darius Adams, the RBDF’s public relations officer, told The Tribune last night that the Defence Force’s search efforts would continue through the night.

He said teams were slightly delayed in starting the operation because of bad weather and that seas remained choppy, but the conditions would not deter them.

“We have another flight that's going out first light,” he said. “Family friends have another boat coming out of Florida that is coming to also assist with the rescue and they also had somebody that was also here in The Bahamas that got another vessel to go out there as well.”

Police said locating the aircraft and its occupants remained a priority and promised to provide updates as they become available.

Family members, meanwhile, are appealing for the public’s help, saying they desperately want their loved ones home.