Updated story:
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for two men aboard an overdue helicopter that crashed in the Gulf of Mexico Monday.
Crews searched more than 4,000 square-nautical miles for about 68 hours to no avail, according to Coast Guard Eighth District Heartland News.
“It is never easy to suspend a search,” Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Lt. Commander Michelle Ferguson said. “We searched diligently with our pilots, boat crews and cutter crews but were unable to find the two men aboard the helicopter.”
Original story:
NEW ORLEANS, La. (KLFY) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it is looking for a missing aircraft in the Gulf of Mexico after it lost contact with the shore.
According to the Coast Guard, the helicopter’s “last known position was 13 nautical miles west of Southwest Pass” at the mouth of the Mississippi River.
The Coast Guard said the helicopter was carrying passengers from an offshore platform to another, but 10 minutes prior to landing, it lost communications.
The Coast Guard stated that Watchstanders at Coast Guard District Eight were notified at 10:37 a.m. Saturday morning from the helicopter owner that the crew did not reach the platform.
The owner of the helicopter is Panther Marine.
The Coast Guard confirms that the tail number of the missing helicopter is N79LP.
