Coast Guard suspends search for downed plane
Sumter native thought to be a passenger; names have not been released
Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton crew members search for a downed civilian aircraft Oct. 27, 2018, 110 miles east of Charleston. The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was en route to the Bahamas from South Carolina on when they declared an in-flight emergency and were lost on radar. The Coast Guard ended its search Saturday night.
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a downed aircraft that went missing about 110 miles east of Charleston on Thursday. A Sumter man is thought to be one of the passengers.
The Coast Guard 7th District searched approximately 3,516 square miles for 76 hours before ending its search according to its website.
"It is with a heavy heart that we suspend our search for the missing aircraft and its five passengers," said Capt. John Reed, Commander, Sector Charleston, on the site. "I have spoken with the family of those that were on this plane and extend my deepest sympathies to them and all those who have been hit by this tragic loss at sea."
The aircraft, a Piper PA-31, was leaving from South Carolina to the Bahamas.
The names of the passengers have not been released though several people have told The Sumter Item the Wilson Hall alumnus was a passenger in addition to posts on The Sumter Item's Facebook page and other social posts, including public posts from family members.