Citation Disappeared Last Week Off Coast Of Dominican Republic

Coast Guard, Puerto Rico Police and Dominican Republic Navy rescue crews suspended their search last week for signs of a business jet believed downed off the southern coast of the Dominican Republic.

Officials report the Cessna Citation 501 -- FAA registry N223LC -- failed to arrive to its final destination in San Juan, Puerto Rico the night of August 18. Still missing is the Citation's pilot, Antonio Fernandez, who took off from Las Americas International Airport at approximately 8:26 pm that evening.

Coast Guard Sector San Juan Joint Rescue Sub Center controllers received a call at 12 am August 19 from Marta Fernandez, wife of the missing pilot, who reported that her husband had not arrived to Puerto Rico from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Coast Guard controllers launched HH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Air Station Borinquen Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, and diverted Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo to initiate the search for the missing pilot. The Coast Guard Attaché in the Dominican Republic said Dominican aviation authorities last recorded the missing aircraft on radar at approximately three miles south of Santo Domingo, where crews focused their subsequent search efforts.

The combined crews spent three days conducting 17 searches over an area stretching nearly 7,700 nautical miles square before suspending the search Friday night. At this time, there's no word on whether crews will resume the search.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Fernandez during this difficult time," said Capt. Eduardo Pino, Sector San Juan Commander. "Coast Guard rescue crews aggressively searched for three days in conjunction with our partners from the Dominican Republic Navy and Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action."

FMI: www.uscg.mil