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A Gulfstream III went missing after it disappeared from the radar just seven minutes into a sightseeing flight near Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on Dec. 22. It was revealed that the transponder was intentionally turned off and the mystery continues as conflicting reports indicate the wreckage was found while other outlets indicate the DEA was monitoring the plane.
According to St. Vincent Times, the Gulfstream III (N337LR) departed the island of Canouan on Dec. 22 at 2:27 p.m. and the last contact was at 2:33 p.m. Three people were reported to be on board but the names and identities of the individuals have not been released. St. Vincent Times said that authorities were aware of the identity of the flight crew and passenger and confirmed at least two on board were of Mexican nationality. The local outlet also reported that the flight plan did not make sense to aviation experts. The flight was reportedly a sightseeing trip around the island and was initially expected to land at 4:27 p.m. It would take the plane about six minutes to reach the mainland, but the GIII had fuel for over four hours. Initial reports indicate that an alert was issued after the plane failed to land at its scheduled time.
Local outlet St. Vincent Times reported that it is believed the plane landed on a private airstrip in South America, potentially in Venezuela, which is just one hour away from the Grenadines. The outlet also reported that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration had been monitoring the missing plane for a long time, indicating that Gulfstream aircraft are often used as narco planes to transport illicit substances from South America.
Multiple local outlets reported that the wreckage of the missing plane was found on Dec. 27 with no survivors, but these articles have since been deleted. The FAA registry reports that the plane is registered in Cheyenne, Wyoming to Jetsteam Aviation Inc. The website for the company is invalid, instead pulls up a page that says the account has been suspended. One article about the discovery of wreckage still available online, from Hitz 106.7 FM, reported that the plane was found after six days of searching, revealing a crash site off the northeastern coast of St. Vincent, with no survivors. The story includes a quote from Reginald Darius, Director General of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority at a press conference, stating that a formal investigation has been launched into the crash. However, on the ECCAA site, the Director General is listed as Anthony Whittier. An ECCAA representative told Aviation International News that there is no such person associated with the agency and a press conference about finding the wreckage did not occur.
The mystery remains, with local outlets claiming authorities are keeping everything pertaining to the missing plane under wraps. St. Vincent Times reported that there was no word from the Coast Guard, police, airport or Ministry of National Security. The outlet indicated that the disappearance was a closely guarded secret. Whether the plane disappeared or intentionally went off the radar, as well as the whereabouts of the plane or the wreckage, remains a mystery.