OTTAWA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) — The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) announced Monday it will lead the investigation into the crash of an air ambulance aircraft in international waters off Nantucket in the U.S. state of Massachusetts on Oct. 3.
Ontario-based operator Latitude Air Ambulance said all six aboard the Gulfstream G100 aircraft — four Canadian crew members, a patient, and the patient’s escort — were presumed dead.
The TSB said the aircraft had departed Bermuda and was approaching the Boston area when the crew reported electrical difficulties. The aircraft then descended rapidly before air traffic controllers lost contact with it south of Nantucket.
Under international agreements, Canada, as the state of registry of the aircraft, is responsible for conducting the investigation. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board will participate as an accredited representative.
The TSB said it will deploy investigators in the coming days as search and recovery efforts for the aircraft continue. ■