PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard suspends search for missing pilot off Boca Raton

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 03/02/2021 11:22 AM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast
Contact: 7th District Public Affairs
Office: 305-415-6683
After Hours: 305-202-3735
7th District online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for missing pilot off Boca Raton

Aircraft on a runway, Feb. 28, 2021, near Boca Raton, Florida. The Coast Guard started their search, Saturday, for a missing plane and pilot approximately 17 miles south of Boca Raton. (Coast Guard photo)

87-year-old Brendan Spratt posing for a picture, Feb. 28, 2021, near Boca Raton, Florida. The search for the missing plane and pilot was suspended, Monday. (Coast Guard photo) Search area for missing plane and pilot, March 2, 2021, near Boca Raton, Florida. Search crews searched about 15,955 square miles, about double the area of New Jersey. (Coast Guard screenshot) 87-year-old Brendan Spratt posing for a picture, Feb. 28, 2021, near Boca Raton, Florida. The search for the missing plane and pilot was suspended, Monday. (Coast Guard photo)

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

MIAMI —  Coast Guard District Seven watchstanders suspended the search for 87-year-old Brendan Spratt, Monday at 8:30 p.m., after exhausting all leads for the search. 

Air Force Rescue Coordination Center personnel alerted District Seven watchstanders Friday at approximately 11:30 a.m., regarding a downed aircraft, described as a Lancair 320, with at least one person aboard approximately 15 miles southeast of Boca Raton.

Spratt's son reported to watchstanders that his father last checked in on Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. He was reportedly flying from Spruce Creek to Boca Raton and was scheduled to land the same day in a private community that had its own airstrip.

"The decision to suspend a case is never an easy one," said Lt. Shawn Antonelli, a command duty officer for District Seven. "Our greatest sympathies go out to the Spratt family during this time." 

Crews searched about 15,955 square miles, approximately double the area of New Jersey, and came from:

  • Air Station Miami
  • Air Station Clearwater
  • Station Fort Lauderdale
  • Station Fort Pierce
  • Cutter Cochito
  • Cutter Heron
  • Coast Guard Air Auxiliary
  • Air Force

Rescue crews did not locate any debris.

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-USCG-