Coast Guard searching Lake Pontchartrain for missing small plane
Two people were reportedly on board
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The U.S. Coast Guard said it is searching Lake Pontchartrain for a small plane that lost radio contact Monday night (Nov. 24) about four miles offshore.
The plane was reportedly carrying one instructor and one student when it left Million Air Airport in Gulfport, Mississippi, Monday night, according to WLOX.
On Tuesday morning (Nov. 25), a U.S. Coast Guard source said that search crews have found debris believed to be from the missing plane. During the previous night’s search, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted what is believed to be a seat cushion in the debris.
After a press conference at Million Air Airport on Tuesday, officials there said that the two on board are presumably dead in an “unbelievable tragedy”.
The debris was found around 11 p.m. Monday night, according to the Coast Guard.
The search area for the missing Cessna was about four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport, officials said.
Bruce Martin, director of aviation for Lakefront Airport, said the airport had been in contact with a small plane until losing radio contact.
Martin said the Coast Guard soon initiated the offshore search operation.
A Coast Guard officer confirmed the search was launched around 6:36 p.m., but provided few details.
The USCG spokesperson said its search team involved a MH-60 helicopter and a 29-foot boat deployed from its Coast Guard New Orleans station.
This developing story will be updated.
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