Unresponsive Plane Crashes Off Jamaica After 1,700 Miles
An unresponsive plane that was being tailed by two U.S. F-15 fighter jets has crashed in the Atlantic Ocean off of the coast of Jamaica, authorities of the Caribbean country reported Friday.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) sent two F-15 jets to trail the plane after it became unresponsive on Friday at around 11 a.m. The American jets were able to follow the small, Socata TBM-700 aircraft until it entered Cuban airspace, which is when the two fighter jets dropped their tail.
NORAD has reported that the pilot of the small plane was apparently incapacitated. Although it remains undetermined why the pilot grew unresponsive, NORAD suggested that perhaps his cabin lost oxygen flow. The pilots of the F-15 jets reported seeing frosted or fogged windows but no sign of movement in the plane.
Jamaica announced Friday afternoon that it would be sending divers and two military aircraft to investigate the plane's crash site, located about 14 miles northeast of Port Antonio. The plane reportedly flew 1,700 miles from its origin in Rochester, New York before crashing in the sea.
The U.S. is also sending a U.S. Coast Guard ship to investigate the wreckage and determine the fate of those on board the aircraft. Guard Petty Officer Jon-Paul Rios told the Associated Press that "none of us have found anything at this time."
The couple flying the plane, Larry and Jane Glazer, were reportedly prominent real estate developers in the community of Rochester, N.Y. and were credited with helping to develop the east coast city. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered his condolences to the Glazers on Friday, saying the couple was compassionate about revitalizing Rochester.
"The Glazers were innovative and generous people who were committed to revitalizing downtown Rochester and making the city they loved a better place for all," Cuomo said in a statement. "I offer my deepest condolences to the Glazers' family and friends during this difficult and trying time."
