Florida Family Plane Vanishes Near Bahamas

A small PA-34 Piper aircraft carrying four members of a Florida family disappeared Monday while returning from the Bahamas to Miami, according to Bahamian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard. The plane departed Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands at approximately 10:12 a.m. and was headed for Miami Executive Airport in Miami-Dade County. Its last known contact occurred at 11:04 a.m., about 13 miles west of Andros Island. Bahamas police said officers on Andros were coordinating efforts to locate an aircraft believed to have crash-landed off the coast of Red Bays in North Andros. The people aboard were identified as pilot Mario Lamar, 80; his wife, Lili Lamar, 79; and their grandchildren Sofia Sosa, 28, and Christian Sosa, 22. A family spokesperson said Mario Lamar had more than 40 years of flying experience. Relatives appealed to fishermen, boaters, pilots and residents of Andros Island to report any information that could assist the search. Silvia Larrieu, a niece of Mario and Lili Lamar, publicly pleaded for help and asked that the family be brought home. The families also expressed gratitude to those involved in the search and requested privacy while awaiting further information. Bahamian officials contacted the U.S. Coast Guard at about 2 p.m. to request assistance. The Coast Guard’s Southeast District command center arranged for an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to support the search. However, Bahamas police said the operation was suspended because of bad weather, and officials had not said when it would resume.

A small Piper PA-34 aircraft carrying four members of a U.S. family disappeared Monday while traveling from Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas toward Florida. The Royal Bahamas Police Force said the plane departed at approximately 11:12 a.m. and was en route to Opa-locka, Florida, although the article headline identifies Miami as the destination. Air Traffic Control lost contact with the aircraft about 13 miles west of Andros Island. Bahamian authorities believe the aircraft may have crash-landed in the waters off Red Bays, North Andros, after receiving a report at approximately 2:20 p.m. The Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association and the United States Coast Guard were notified. The Coast Guard coordinated the launch of an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft to support the search, but officials said inclement weather delayed or postponed search efforts until conditions improved. Authorities emphasized that locating the aircraft and its occupants remained a priority and that the case was still active. Family member Silvia Larrieu identified the occupants as 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar; his 79-year-old wife, Lily Lamar; and their grandchildren, Christian Sosa, 22, and Sophie Sosa, 28. The family had spent Labour Day weekend at their home on Great Harbour Cay, which Larrieu described as their “second home.” She appealed to anyone who might have seen signs of the aircraft or could assist by plane or boat to help bring the family back alive. Global News reported that it had contacted Bahamian police and defence authorities for additional information but had not received a response. The United States Coast Guard said it was supporting Bahamian authorities and that the search remained ongoing.

Four members of a Florida family are missing after a five-seat Piper PA-34 private aircraft disappeared during a flight from Great Harbour Cay in the Bahamas to Miami Executive Airport in South Florida. The plane departed at approximately 10:12 a.m. Monday, and its last known contact was recorded around 11:04 a.m. near the western side of Andros Island. The passengers were identified as 80-year-old pilot Mario Lamar, his 79-year-old wife, Lili Lamar, and their grandchildren, 28-year-old Sofia Sosa and 22-year-old Christian Sosa. Bahamian authorities received a report that the aircraft may have gone down in the water approximately 13 miles west of Andros Island. The U.S. Coast Guard is assisting the search with an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft. Search efforts were reportedly delayed by rough weather near the northern end of Andros Island. FlightAware data showed fluctuations in the plane’s speed before its altitude fell from approximately 10,000 feet to 3,700 feet over three minutes. Authorities have not disclosed what caused the aircraft to disappear and have not provided information about the condition of those aboard. Silvia Larrieu, a niece of Mario and Lili Lamar, said the couple frequently visited Great Harbour Cay and considered it a second home. She said they were returning home and issued a public appeal for help with search-and-rescue efforts. The family also told ABC News that Mario Lamar had more than 40 years of flying experience. The article reports that relatives and authorities remain involved in efforts to locate the aircraft and the four people aboard.