The United States Coast Guard has suspended its search for six individuals on board a medical transport jet that crashed while en route from Bermuda to Boston. The difficult decision came after extensive air and sea operations covered thousands of miles.

Rear Admiral Matthew Lake, commander of the Coast Guard’s Northeast District, stated in a release on Sunday that suspending a search is never an easy choice. The operation was called off after approximately 66 hours, during which search teams covered 4,445 miles by air and sea. Debris confirmed to be from the aircraft was found off the coast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.

The Gulfstream G100 air ambulance was carrying two pilots, two medical staff, one patient, and a relative of the patient. Clarence Togeretz, director of flight operations at Canada-based Latitude Air Ambulance, confirmed the passenger manifest to CBC News. Authorities identified the four crew members as Canadian citizens and the two passengers as Bermudian.

Latitude Air Ambulance issued a statement acknowledging the grim reality that the four crew members, the patient, and the patient's escort are presumed to have died. The company specializes in medical evacuation and repatriation flights. The focus has now shifted to determining the cause of the crash, as flight data indicated a sudden steep descent and loss of contact with air traffic controllers.

The aircraft had flown to Bermuda to pick up the patient and was on its way to Boston Logan International Airport when the incident occurred. The US Federal Aviation Administration notified the Coast Guard about the lost contact at approximately 2 a.m. on Saturday. Rear Admiral Lake noted that the water depth in the vicinity of the debris recovery was between 80 and 90 feet.

He expressed condolences to the families of those on board and extended gratitude to all the agencies that participated in the extensive search and rescue efforts. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, with authorities yet to determine what led to the aircraft's descent and disappearance from radar.

Latitude Air Ambulance confirmed that its missions typically involve two pilots and medical personnel, consistent with the crew composition on board the ill-fated flight. The company's operations focus on transporting patients back to their home countries for medical care or repatriation.

This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with air ambulance services, especially during long-distance medical transports over water. The investigation will likely examine all potential factors, including weather, mechanical failure, and human factors, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to the crash.