A joint search is underway after a PA-34 Piper five-seater (tail N212ML) reportedly went down about 15 miles off Andros Island, Bahamas. Bahamian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard said the aircraft departed Great Harbour Cay and lost contact near western Andros, though public statements include slightly conflicting times. Four Americans are missing: Mario Lamar Sr., 80; Lili Lamar, 79; Sofi Sosa, 28; and Christian Sosa, 22; the family says Mario Lamar Sr. was an experienced pilot. Search efforts have been hampered at times by poor weather; officials urge all available resources be deployed.
American Grandparents and Grandchildren Missing After Small Plane Down Near Andros Island; Search Underway
American family missing in apparent crash of small plane off Bahamas coast
Search teams are scouring waters off Andros Island after a small PA-34 Piper reportedly went down Monday with four U.S. citizens aboard, Bahamian authorities and the U.S. Coast Guard said.
What Happened
The Royal Bahamian Defence Force asked the U.S. Coast Guard for assistance "at approximately 2 p.m." after receiving a report of a downed aircraft about 15 miles off Andros Island. Bahamas Police said crews on Andros are coordinating efforts to locate a plane believed to have crash-landed off Red Bays, North Andros.
Aircraft And Timeline
The plane is identified as a PA-34 Piper five-seater, tail number N212ML, which reportedly departed Great Harbour Cay. Authorities provided two closely timed reports: the police said the aircraft "departed Great Harbour Cay at approximately 11:12 a.m.," while a family statement cited the last known contact at about 11:04 a.m. near the western side of Andros Island. Those times are inconsistent in the public statements; officials continue to investigate the timeline.
Silvi Larrieu - A search is underway for an American family of two grandparents and two grandchildren who are missing after their small plane, pictured here, apparently crashed off the Bahamas coast Sept. 7, 2026, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and Bahamian officials.
Passengers And Family Statement
The family named the missing passengers as Mario Lamar Sr., 80; Lili Lamar, 79; Sofi Sosa, 28; and Christian Sosa, 22. The family noted that Mario Lamar Sr. was an experienced pilot with more than 40 years of flying experience. They called on Bahamian authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard and all relevant local agencies to "coordinate and deploy every available resource" to locate the aircraft and its occupants as quickly as possible.
Search Conditions And Response
Officials said poor weather has at times delayed search operations. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed it was assisting Bahamian teams, and local police are leading the on-scene coordination. No further information about survivors or wreckage has been released.
"The Lamar and Sosa families are deeply grateful to everyone participating in the search and to those who have reached out with support," the family statement said.
This is a developing story. Authorities have not disclosed additional findings and updates will be provided as they become available. ABC News contributor Rachel DeLima assisted with reporting.
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