'Devastated:' Passengers On Missing New Jersey-Bound Plane ID'd

A family is "devastated" after two people on board a New Jersey-bound plane that disappeared off the Florida coast were identified Sunday. A US Coast Guard search was suspended this weekend.

Peter Renzulli, 51, of Bridgewater, and his son, Daniel, 18, were on board the Piper Malibu aircraft that disappeared off the coast of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. on Thursday, according to the family's attorney, Justin A. Marchetta.

Their plane took off at approximately 9 a.m. on Thursday at Kissimmee Airport in Orlando on a flight to Princeton. Approximately 30 minutes into the flight, the aircraft disappeared from radar about two miles off the coast of Ponte Vedra Beach, Marchetta said.

The Coast Guard and local authorities conducted an extensive search of the area, but the search was suspended as of Saturday.

“The family was devastated to learn that the aircraft could not be located,” said Marchetta, a Parsippany aviation attorney. “Peter and Daniel are accomplished pilots and their disappearance is heartbreaking."

Peter Renzulli had recently completed 30 hours of advanced instruction in the Piper Malibu and was looking forward to returning to New Jersey, Marchetta said in a statement.

“We ask that the privacy of the Renzulli family be respected at this difficult time,” said Marchetta, “and we ask that those following this story keep the Renzullis in their thoughts and prayers.”

He added that the National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation, but it may be several months before all of the facts surrounding this incident are known.

The Coast Guard's 7th District said it searched approximately 1,400 square miles for 56 hours before suspending the search.

“The suspension of an active search and rescue case is never an easy decision to make,” said Christopher Eddy, search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard 7th district. “We always want the best case scenario to happen and will continue to monitor for new information that could aid responders.”

The disappearance happened at approximately 9:45 a.m. Thursday when the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center notified Coast Guard 7th District watchstanders of an aircraft distress call, authorities said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it is also investigating the disappearance and the National Transportation Safety Board will determine the probable cause of the incident.

Coast Guard assets involved in the search included:

• Coast Guard Cutter Ridley
• Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish
• Coast Guard Station Mayport response boats
• MH-65 Dolphin helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah and Miami
• MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
• HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Miami

Other agencies involved in the search include the Navy, Customs and Border Protection, St. John’s Fire & Rescue, Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department, and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.

This is a developing story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.

Stock images of the US Coast Guard