Missing Plane in Ohio: Coast Guard Suspending Search

CLEVELAND, OH - The US Coast Guard is suspending its search for a plane that went missing from Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland late Thursday. The plane was reportedly carrying six passengers, three adults and three children.

"The decision to suspend a search is never easy," said Capt. Michael Mullen, chief of response for the Coast Guard 9th District. "I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of those who lost loved
ones during this tragedy."

The search has covered 128 miles along Lake Erie. The effort spanned more than 20 hours and was conducted using Coast Guard crews aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, an HC-130 aircraft and the Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay.

During an 11 a.m. press conference, Mullen said search crews have not yet spotted any debris. There has been a faint emergency transmitter locator signal, but nothing strong enough to go on, he said.

Mullen says there were likely two families aboard the plane and the Coast Guard is currently notifying families and determining who was aboard the plane. The US Coast Guard was receiving assistance from the Royal Canadian Air Force during the search.

The plane took off from Burke Lakefront at about 11 p.m. and dropped off the radar shortly thereafter.

After dropping off the radar at around 11 p.m., the Coast Guard was contacted by Air Traffic Control Services at 11:30 p.m., who requested assistance in locating the missing plane. Crews have been searching an area about two or three miles north of the airport.

The Columbus Dispatch is now reporting that the plane was piloted by John T. Fleming, the CEO and President of Columbus-based Superior Beverage Group. The Coast Guard has not confirmed the identity of any passengers.

Fleming's father told the Columbus Dispatch that the Coast Guard believes the plane may have crashed into Lake Erie.

Weather reports say that at the time of the flight there was a light snow falling around the Cleveland area. Coast guard officials have said there is no suspected cause, yet, for the plane's disappearance. The plane was headed for The Ohio State University.

The search area for the plane is two miles off of the airport, cleveland.com reports. The plane is a Cessna 525. Crews from Detroit and Canada are assisting in the search for the plane, WKYC reports.

Additionally, there has been no debris spotted from the plane, the Associated Press says.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard