The United States Coast Guard said it has located debris from an Ontario air ambulance that went missing off the eastern coast of the U.S. early Saturday morning.

The U.S. Coast Guard said it launched a search mission after the Federal Aviation Administration lost contact with the plane early Saturday as it was travelling from Bermuda to Boston.

The plane was carrying six people, including four Canadians and two Bermudian nationals.

Air and ground crews are searching off the coast of Nantucket, an island about 150 kilometres southeast of Boston, the coast guard wrote in a social media post. The search includes the use of two planes, a search a rescue lifeboat, a helicopter, and cutter.

The aircraft, a Gulfstream G100 jet, belongs to Latitude Air Ambulance, a Hamilton-based medical evacuation company.

Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for Latitude Air Ambulance, told The Canadian Press the missing aircraft was transporting a patient and their family member, with two pilots and two medical staff on board.

Togeretz said Latitude had been tracking the flight and lost contact with it around 1:30 a.m. Saturday as it was approaching Boston.

When the plane failed to reach the tarmac, the company reached out to the U.S. Coast Guard, Togeretz said.

Togeretz said the company is “dealing with the situation with as much positivity and optimism as we can.”

“We’re praying for a safe outcome,” he said.

The operations manager said this is the first time Latitude Air Ambulance has lost contact with one of its planes.

The company offers emergency medical transportation by plane worldwide, according to its website.

Ontario’s air ambulance service provider Ornge reacted to the news of the missing plane Saturday, writing in a social media post that it hopes “the aircraft and all passengers are located safely and quickly.”

Togeretz said Latitude Air Ambulance is in contact with Transport Canada. 

Federal Transportation Minister Steven MacKinnon said he had been made aware of the incident.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with the relevant authorities as search and rescue efforts continue,” he said in a social media post. “My thoughts are with everyone on board, as well as their families, loved ones and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.”